Experiencing Interruptions?

From the Ashes

Faced with an uncertain future, a devastating virus and a national lock-down, 5 young South Africa filmmakers decided to create their own future. Utilizing whatever resources they had at their disposal, they captured their individual journeys through this alien threat, but with a singular purpose - to find an answer to the question that haunts us all: What is the purpose to all of this?

  • Petri Kleynhans
    Director
  • Petri Kleynhans
    Writer
  • Petri Kleynhans
    Producer
  • Carlyle Lodewyk
    Key Cast
  • Estrolita Williams
    Key Cast
  • Ryan Campher
    Key Cast
  • Rowan Van Zyl
    Key Cast
  • Ustin
    Key Cast
  • Carlyle Lodewyk
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, covid-19, drama
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Afrikaans, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Garden Route International Film Festival
    Knysna
    South Africa
    Winner
  • Onyko Film Awards
    Talin
    Estonia
    Official Selection
  • Halic Goldenhorn Film Festival & Market
    Instanbul
    Turkey
    Finalist
  • National Short Film Festival
    Washington DC
    United States
    Quarter-Finalist
Director Biography - Petri Kleynhans

I've been in the creative industry for more than 10 years, focussing predominantly on Investigative journalism, Testimonial corporate productions and Animation.

My departure point has always been a strong narrative, and through the years, I've learnt to first appreciate, then love, the documentary genre.

This is my first short film for release, but there will be many more to come.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The vision for this film was quite radical. Take 5 young, inexperienced, aspiring filmmakers. Create a challenging environment for them to deal with (poverty - check, lack of opportunity - check, national lockdown - check, fear of impending doom thanks to a global virus pandemic - check). With no additional support other than guidance over the phone, have them produce their individual films remotely, with whatever resources they can find. Then merge those stories into a singular narrative, in order to capture the true authentic experience as they navigate Covid-19 and the national lockdown.

The journey was challenging and rewarding. The end product is raw and unpolished. But it's also real. It lacks that veneer of direction that you get when everything is planned. But in it's place, I managed to unearth a journey filled with pain, defined by loss and suffering. But I also found in these characters a resilience, an unwillingness to give up, a fire within...