Private Project

The Thorn In My Flesh

A conflicted Afrikaans boy makes an unlikely friendship with a young Xhosa girl. He spends his free time dancing with her to escape the expectations of his culture and family. The boy’s prejudicial Father does not approve of his son’s unique

  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Director
  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Writer
  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Producer
  • Charmaine Potgieter
    Producer
  • Francois Smith
    Key Cast
    "Deon Barnard"
  • Tsebang Sipambo
    Key Cast
    "Lesedi"
  • Danny Muller
    Key Cast
    "Hendrik Barnard"
  • Dehano Muller
    Key Cast
  • Lauren Wilson
    Assistant Directors
  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Cinematorgrapher
  • Casey Moura
    Assistant Camera
  • Casey Moura
    Camera Operator
  • Zanru Theron
    Camera Operator
  • Casey Moura
    Grip
  • Bradley Ho Tong
    Grip
  • Schalk Hoogenboezem
    Location Sound
  • Bradley Ho Tong
    Boom Swinger
  • Bianca Loftie-Eaton
    Production Designer / Costumes / Makeup
  • Wian Coetzee
    Production Assistants
  • Carlia Jansen v Rensburg
    Production Assistants
  • Charmaine Potgieter
    Catering
  • Cecilia Jansen v Rensburg
    Catering
  • Jean-Pierre Roux
    Covid Safety Officer
  • Corne Beyleveld
    Security Officer
  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Editor
  • Luzanne Potgieter
    Colourist
  • Schalk Hoogenboezem
    Sound Design
  • Alessandro Turchino
    Composers
  • JP de Villiers
    Composers
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Doring In My Vlees
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 3, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    96,200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Afrikaans
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Open Window Institute
Director Biography - Luzanne Potgieter

Luzanne Potgieter is a Director, Cinematographer, and Editor living in Pretoria, Gauteng, who grew up in Thabazimbi. Luzanne has worked on several short films throughout her time at The Open Window University. She has made several films and shorts that won numerous awards at the film school. Some of her earlier and more experimental work can be found on her website. Finishing her time at Open Window with a bang, Luzanne made the most awarded film in her third-year class titled The thorn in my flesh. The awards range from best editing, cinematography, directing and the prestigious award for best picture. Luzanne is currently working and collaborating on multiple projects ranging from showreels, experimental films and short films in means of establishing herself as a powerful voice in South African cinema.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My film explores how trauma leads to the development of prejudicial and radical ideologies in individuals. The film explores not whether one’s views are flawed or not, but how one’s views shape those around us and the ones we love most.

For the visual style of the film, I wanted the camera to resemble a character’s mental state. For the main character, the visuals are more spacious, making use of wides to emphasize the escapism he experiences and his openness towards the outside world. The visuals change when there are moments of feeling trapped or characters experiencing the world narrow-minded. I wanted the visuals to feel as if the characters are consumed and boxed in by their surroundings.