Private Project

Reflections in a broken mirror

Reflections in a broken mirror is a powerful documentary that explores how theatremakers and playwrights have attempted to reshape Afrikaner culture in alignment with the transition to a new South Africa. The film focuses on key theatre productions that challenged the dominant Afrikaner identity, using provocative imagery to reimagine the role and identity of the Afrikaner in democratic South Africa. The plays explore unexamined areas of Afrikaner culture and reveal that there is no homogenous perspective. The key theatre productions explored are TRITS (Mis, Mirakel, Drif) (1992–1994), Donkerland (1996), Drie Susters, Twee (1997), Boklied (1998), Ek, Anna van Wyk (1999), Aars! (2001), Saad (2007), Ons vir Jou (2008), Sakrament (2009), Die Kortsondige Raklewe van Anastasia W. (2010) and Balbesit (2013). The documentary features an all-star lineup of acclaimed thespians, playwrights, directors and festival organisers, including Pieter Fourie, Karen Meiring Saartjie and Marthinus Basson, among others. Reflections of a broken mirror is essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of South African theatre and culture.

  • Amber Fox-Martin
    Director
    A Feast in Time of Plague
  • Philip Theron
    Director
    A Feast in Time of Plague
  • Amber Fox-Martin
    Writer
    A Feast in Time of Plague
  • Amber Fox-Martin
    Producer
    A Feast in Time of Plague
  • Jannous Aukema
    Music Composition
    How to Steal a Country
  • Marthinus Basson
    Key Cast
  • Martie Meiring
    Key Cast
  • Saarjie Botha
    Key Cast
  • Karen Meiring
    Key Cast
  • Hugo Theart
    Key Cast
  • Jaco Bouwer
    Key Cast
  • Diane de Beer
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Student
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Afrikaans, English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Stellenbosch University
  • Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival
    Cape Town & Johannesburg
    South Africa
    June 23, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Amber Fox-Martin, Philip Theron

Amber Fox-Martin is a historian, documentary filmmaker, production and stage manager. Amber studied at Stellenbosch University, where she graduated cum laude in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in drama. She majored in stage management and theatre studies, as well as history, which she studied with intention of developing research in the field. She furthered her studies the following year by completing her honour's in history in 2019. Under the mentorship of Professor Vivian Bickford-Smith, Amber created her thesis documentary film, A Feast in Time of Plague, which earned a cum laude grading premiered at the 22nd Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival in August 2020. Amber was awarded her Master of Arts in History in 2023, creating a sequel documentary-thesis, Reflections in a broken mirror. This research earned a cum laude.

Since 2016, she has worked as a freelancer in the entertainment industry in the capacity of venue technician, sound operator, venue manager, production manager, assistant stage manager and stage manager for various productions. By 2019, she was employed by the Adam Small Theatre Complex as a stage manager and administrative assistant. Amber has worked as an ad-hoc lecturer at the Stellenbosch University Drama Department teaching sound and stage management in 2020 and 2021. Throughout 2020, Amber also worked as an intern for South African History Online, co-ordinating one of their main projects and fundraising efforts. In 2022, Amber became a director of Attakwa Productions (Pty) Ltd., a female-run production company that focuses on nurturing indigenous narratives and storytelling techniques. The theatre production, and subsequent documentary short, Bientang: bloedspoor/!nau was developed by the company.

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Director Statement

Our previous film, A Feast in Time of Plague, investigated a genre of work that challenged theatre-making norms, and pushed boundaries in the apartheid system.

This film completes the narrative, reflecting on the journey of these Afrikaans theatre makers in the new South Africa. I felt it would be interesting to engage with the next chapter of history, bringing it up to the present day, with a sense of looking to the future. Reflections in a broken mirror is our ode to the giant talents of South African theatre, while hoping to document a part of our history.