Experiencing Interruptions?

Close to Home

On the streets of Athlone, Cape Town, little boys grow up idolizing neighbourhood gangsters standing on street corners and jump at the chance to become one of them – a township celebrity. Grant Porthen was one of those boys. For his mother, Sharon, tough love was the only answer. Eventually she was forced to give up on her son. Grant endured prison, the wrath of The Numbers gang and crystal meth addiction leading to the collapse of his thriving drug empire. Close to Home documents the changing relationship between Grant and Aunty Sharon through the years. Their determination to stay connected through separation and pain explores the deeper meaning of love and family.

  • Louise Fuller
    Director
  • Rhea MacDonald
    Director
  • Laura Skippers
    Director
  • Louise Fuller
    Writer
  • Rhea MacDonald
    Writer
  • Laura Skippers
    Writer
  • Louise Fuller
    Producer
  • Rhea MacDonald
    Producer
  • Laura Skippers
    Producer
  • Grant Porthen
    Key Cast
  • Sharon Porthen
    Key Cast
  • Jill Porthen
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 14, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Afrikaans, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 720p
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Rhodes University Student Film Festival
    Grahamstown, South Africa
    October 14, 2015
    South African premiere
    --
  • Township screening for youth affected by gangsterism and drugs
    Ghost Town, Grahamstown, South Africa
    November 12, 2015
Director Biography - Louise Fuller, Rhea MacDonald, Laura Skippers

Louise Fuller

I am an aspiring journalist with a love for editing and a need for adventure. I am half Kenyan and half English but I grew up in Botswana. Having family and friends on different sides of the world I had the opportunity to travel quite a bit which allowed me to develop a love for travel and a wish to become a travel journalist. My dream is to travel all over the world documenting different places and cultures and immersing myself in them.

Rhea MacDonald

I didn’t think I would end up a filmmaker. When I was little, I wanted to be a dentist. I am so glad that is not my reality today! Now I can’t imagine my life without filmmaking. It is my one true love – something I spend hours doing and never get sick of, something that I dream of, something that I crave. I hope my films can spread knowledge and help people to empathise with others who experience the world differently to them.

Laura Skippers

Every person has a story. I love hearing about people’s experiences and being able to share it with others. Especially the voices of those who aren’t often given the chance to be heard. This documentary is one such issue that has affected me and so many others on the Cape Flats. I hope that through this more awareness is raised, hope is restored and lives are touched.

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Director Statement

We made this film to give hope to people living on the Cape Flats of South Africa and also those who live in similar circumstances around the world. We wanted to show that there is a way out of gangsterism and drugs. We hope our film touches lives and raises awareness about the issues presented.