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Some Mothers' Sons

Some Mothers’ Sons is an adaptation of Mike Van Graan’s renowned play. Set in Jail cells twenty years apart, Some Mothers’ Sons juxtaposes the experiences of two friends, Vusi Mataboge
and Braam Visser. Whilst Vusi and Braam come from different backgrounds they manage to help each other navigate both the legal and personal landscape of their respective imprisonments.
Although strained at first, their relationship is strengthened as they learn to lean on each other through the traumatic circumstances surrounding their separate arrests.

  • Mbulelo Grootboom
    Director
  • Luntu Masiza
    Director
  • Alexandre Ortscheit
    Director
  • Mike Van Graan
    Writer
  • Mbulelo Grootboom
    Writer
  • Luntu Masiza
    Writer
  • Alexandre Ortscheit
    Writer
  • Adam Hansen
    Writer
  • Mike Van Graan
    Producer
  • Mbulelo Grootboom
    Producer
  • Luntu Masiza
    Producer
  • Alexis Burg
    Producer
  • Alexandre Ortscheit
    Producer
  • Luntu Masiza
    Key Cast
    "Vusi Matebula"
  • Francois Immelman
    Key Cast
    "Braam Visser"
  • Samantha Carlisle
    Key Cast
    "Renee Visser"
  • Mbulelo Grootboom
    Key Cast
    "Criminal"
  • Nosiphiwo Ndabeni
    Key Cast
    "Bongi Matebula"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 15, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    Afrikaans, English, Xhosa
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Venezia Shorts Italy
    Venice
    Italy
    June 9, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Indie Shorts Awards Cannes
    Cannes
    France
    June 16, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Paris International Short Festival
    Paris
    France
    June 29, 2021
    Finalist
  • South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs) 2022
    Johannesburg
    South Africa
    September 2, 2022
    Best Short Film nomination
  • The Pan African Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 12, 2022
    Short films nomination
Director Biography - Mbulelo Grootboom, Luntu Masiza, Alexandre Ortscheit

Mbulelo Grootboom is a powerful creative force, both on the screen and in command as a Debut Director with a clear vision. He is a multi award-winning actor in South Africa best known for his role as Tony in the 2009 comedy feature film White Wedding, directed by Jann Turner. On television he acted in the 2007 mini-series Stellenbosch and in the SABC1 mini-series Forced Love, in 2012. Forced Love (originally known as Goba Msenge) is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, set in a contemporary South African setting. He also had a starring role in the SABC1 political thriller Ihawu le Sizwe, in 2014. In 2015 he had a starring role in the e.tv drama series Z'bondiwe as Ntlonipho 'Killer' Nxasana, a violent, merciless gangster who kidnaps his old girlfriend, setting in motion the events of the series. Active in theatre, Mbulelo is also a member of New Africa Theatre Association.
Some Mothers' Sons is Mbulelo's directing debut.

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Director Statement

Statement from Director Luntu Masiza:
Mike Van Graan wrote the play called Some Mother’s Sons which really got my attention. It had a huge impact on me because it was very relevant with what was happening in our society in 2015 when I first came across it and then I really fell in love with his work because it speaks to our society, it's thought-provoking, it and sparks conversations which challenges us to find a ways to make the world better .
We were in rehearsals with the play at the beginning of 2020, Mbulelo (Director) and I were very clear we wanted to focus on the effect of crime on ordinary citizens and finding the humanity of each of the two characters. We wanted to stay true adapting from theatre to film. We believe it is important to stay true to the story and the characters, so that not only South Africans, but also people from all around the world will relate to this film, because it's a story about real lives, real family and real people.
We knew adapting it into a short film would be challenging and we chose scenes from the play which would show both the characters' struggle with the law and seeking for justice within their own rights. Our aim with this film is to spark conversation around our laws and justice but also really highlighting issues we deal with every day in our world as individuals.