Private Project

My Life on the Tracks - the Rohan Vos Story

During the golden era of steam train travel, Rohan Vos started Rovos Rail with only 4 passengers on the first trip.
Today Rovos Rail is hailed the most luxurious train in the world, travelling to some of the most exotic destinations in Africa.
What is quite incredible is that for Rohan , the rail business was never intended to be, but before he knew it, the journey had begun ... there was no turning back and no way out !
In 'My Life on the Tracks - The Rohan Vos Story' Rohan Vos tells his remarkable story in his own words, sharing some intimate and personal details in vivid detail never told before.
Intimate interviews with family and employees add authenticity to this timeless piece of African rail history.

  • Deon van Zyl
    Director
  • Deon van Zyl
    Producer
  • Deon van Zyl
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Factual, Biography, true story, Africa, african history, south africa, entrepreneur, family, all audiences, case study
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 16, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards - June 2016
    Los Angeles
    United States
    30 June 2016
    World Premiere
    Winner | Award of Recognition, First Time Filmmaker - June 2016
  • Los Angeles Cinefest - July 2016
    Los Angeles
    United States
    World Premiere
    Semi Finalist
Distribution Information
  • Vimeo on Demand
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Deon van Zyl

After being retrenched from my job as a professional Project Manager in 2015, I decided to follow my dream of wanting to make a film.
I didnt know the first thing about how to make a film but I was determined to learn, so my first documentary 'My Life on the Tracks - the Rohan Vos Story' ,with a run time of 21 minutes, took a year to make as I learnt as I went and made many mistakes along the way !
I funded the making of the film myself and received no financial assistance from Rovos Rail, so at times I had to compromise because I didnt always have the funds to shoot scenes that I would have liked to.
After receiving little or no support from the local film industry to assist me and teach me , I decided to look abroad and I have never looked back since ...
Producer Foundation Certificate - Raindance (Los Angeles),
MUSE Storytelling - Pilot and Ambassador (Stillmotion, Portland, Or. USA), 25 week Cinematography Curriculum Mentorship Program with Shane Hurlbut, ASC.
'My Life on the Tracks - the Rohan Vos Story' explores the remarkable life of the man behind the most luxurious train in the world.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In 2007 I travelled on Rovos Rail, totally oblivious to the story behind this train and the legacy of Rohan Vos. On arrival in Cape Town, I was fortunate to meet Rohan Vos on the platform in passing. This was the moment curiosity set in and I wanted to know more …. so when I was retrenched from my job as a project manager in 2015 I decided to follow my passion of wanting to make a film and I knew exactly which story I wanted to tell !