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Bare

"Bare" is a compelling story that follows a South African woman as she navigates a life where she hides her true reality behind a facade of smiles. Despite the mask she wears, she is burdened by the hidden pain and suffering that many women face worldwide, concealed beneath layers of makeup. Through her journey, she grapples with the contradictions between her outward appearance and the internal struggles she faces, shedding light on the universal challenges that women confront in their daily lives.

  • Mawande Kheswa
    Director
  • Mawande Kheswa
    Writer
  • Arnaud Rwasangabo
    Writer
  • Sibongokuhle Nkosi
    Key Cast
  • Mthembeni Mavundla
    Director of Photography
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 7, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Shooting Format:
    35mm
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mawande Kheswa

Mawande Kheswa is an emerging writer-director based in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He has completed several short films including X Marks the Spot, (Official selection Lift Off Sessions & First Time Filmmakers Sessions) and Living Proof (MusicBed Reopen Challenge Top 50 Award). He has raised awareness on various social ills present in his home country such as sexual assault and gender based violence as he believes in social change through storytelling. He is a Marketing graduate with experience in Journalism and Communications.

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Director Statement

My vision for this film as a director was to delve deeply into the emotional voyage of our protagonist, a South African woman who hides her true reality behind a mask of smiles.

The narrative explores the interior conflicts and struggles of women who are under pressure to conform to societal expectations and conceal their true emotions behind a mask of makeup and smiles. Through the journey of the protagonist, we hope to cast light on the often-hidden pain and suffering that many women endure despite putting on a brave front.

Our objective is to produce a thought-provoking and influential film that stimulates conversations about the societal pressures, gender expectations, and hidden struggles women face. We hope that "Bare" will be a potent examination of the human condition, prompting audiences to consider the masks we don and the complexities of navigating a world where appearance and reality frequently collide.