By Caryn Dolley
Participating in the documentary Murder Most Foul was a "disturbing, eye-opening experience" which left him feeling "not completely safe" in the town of his birth, said award-winning South African actor Sir Antony Sher.
He arrived from London on Thursday to attend the world premiere of the documentary, which focuses on the murders of actor Brett Goldin and fashion designer Richard Bloom, at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival at the V&A Waterfront on Thursday night.
"The film looks at Richard and Brett's murder and also the crime situation as a whole. Being part of it was a very disturbing and upsetting experience because we were constantly looking at things like violence. I saw things I don't think I would've ever been exposed to or seen had I not been involved in this," Sher said shortly after arriving at Cape Town International Airport.
He said although it was wonderful to be back, since his involvement in the documentary, he did not feel completely safe anymore.
The last time Sher had been in Cape Town was October 2006 and he said it had not "felt the same".
"The documentary's changed Cape Town a bit for me. It's not quite the place I remember. I've learnt so much (while making the documentary) I don't think I'll ever feel completely safe again until something drastic is done."
The film followed Sher as he arrived in Cape Town last year after the Easter Sunday murders of Goldin and Bloom.
It features a number of the pair's friends and colleagues and interviews with, among others, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Sher said most people interviewed said they thought crime in the country had reached an "unacceptable level".
"I won't go into what my opinion is but a lot of people featured in the film believe crime has become intolerable. If this leads people to discuss what's happening around them then I think this film would've done what it set out to do. That's what I hope come's out of it."
He expected a number of Goldin and Bloom's relatives to attend and said he found it appropriate that the first screening was in Cape Town.
"It's a terrific film and it's great for a South African audience. Together with director (Oscar-award winner Jon Blair) we're glad it's to be shown here for the first time. We feel it very important the audience here gets to see it first as this is where it was set. I'm also looking forward to what comes out during the discussions afterwards."
Sher, Goldin's mother, Denise, Justice Albie Sachs and broadcaster Hazel Makuzeni were to answer questions from the audience after the screening.
Sher was expected to fly back to London, where he is based, on Saturday.