Experiencing Interruptions?

The Story of a Thorn

A woman learns of the infidelity of her boyfriend. Having been in a relationship for two years, she is left hurt and betrayed. Her pain has led her to break up with her partner with the use of a service that specializes in aiding their clients end relationships they aren’t happy in. This service provides a host of bizarre entertainment and bland food choices, all taking place at an immaculately laid dinner table, tended to by a private waiter. She decides to have this take place at the beach where they initially started their relationship, as a final toast to their time together – bringing the relationship full circle.

  • Mzimasi Ndzombane
    Director
    Thanks, Mr Bell (Short, 2022), Hollow City (Short, 2021)
  • Mzimasi Ndzombane
    Writer
  • Mzimasi Ndzombane
    Producer
  • Athenkosi Ndzombane
    Producer
  • Julie Aarts
    Producer
  • Erin Simon
    Key Cast
    "Shannon"
  • Asiphesona Gwana
    Key Cast
    "Langa"
  • Jeffrey Collins
    Key Cast
    "Liam"
  • Catherine del Monte
    Key Cast
    "Shannon's Mother"
  • Hannah Erasmus
    Key Cast
    "Female Lover"
  • Casey Vorster
    Key Cast
    "Hector"
  • Jordyn Slabbert
    Key Cast
    "Store Manager"
  • Kasheefa Schoeman
    Key Cast
    "Store Employee"
  • Esther Ndaba
    Key Cast
    "Street Vendor"
  • Amila Siximba
    Key Cast
    "Paul"
  • Lloyd Loyiso Ndzombane
    Key Cast
    "Waiter"
  • Litalizwe Bisset
    1st Assistant Director
  • Skye Cronje
    Production Coordinator
  • Henri Olivier
    Director of Photography
  • Marcel Masson
    1st AC
  • Lulama Godlo
    2nd AC
  • Tom Radford
    B Camera Operator
  • Riaan du Toit
    B Camera Operator
  • Sinoxolo Tshemese
    Dallies Editor
  • Werner Breytenbach
    Runner
  • Candice Oosthuizen
    Runner
  • Paul Chunkason
    Lighting Department
  • Ronald Kaleso
    Lighting Department
  • Julie Aarts
    Production Design
  • Danniele Fulton
    Production Design
  • Jeff Allan
    Production Design
  • Pwavidon Mathias
    Production Design
  • Makhosonke Jaftha
    Production Design
  • Tomas-Lee Terblanche
    Wardrobe Department
  • Lizalise Hani
    Wardrobe Department
  • Micaela Scholtz
    Graphic Design
  • Raymond Finn
    Sound Deparment
  • Godwin Reagan
    Sound Deparment
  • Lihlelona Kalipa
    Sound Deparment
  • Mthulisi Ndzombane
    On-set assistance
  • Thandiwe Ndzombane
    Catering
  • Nomvuyo Ngcebetsha
    Catering
  • Shamiel Davis
    Thanks
  • Keenan Davis
    Thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    28,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.66:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Mzimasi Ndzombane

Mzimasi Ndzombane is a film director from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. After studying software development at Nelson Mandela University, Mzimasi decided to pursue a suppressed lifelong dream of being a filmmaker.

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Director Statement

The Story of a Thorn is a story where the demise of a relationship is explored. Themes such as miscommunication, misunderstanding, jealousy, anger, artifice, and petulance influenced by love, are depicted.
As someone who’s had women (be it family or friends) in my life experience heartbreak, I have seen the full extent of what damage that can do. I sought to write a story that sympathises with the human psyche where actions are justified in the woman’s mind. Constant emotional abuse can be as bad as physical, leaving victims of abuse from men with very few choices.
The story is slightly influenced by the Classical plays of Greek Tragedian, Euripides. His way of creating a world that makes sense only within it, where its inhabitants are split, with one being in tune with their reality, the other, not so much. Euripides creates worlds with obscure rules that punish those that do not comply with it. Usually led by a single party that holds the people of the story at their mercy.
The Story of a Thorn is not much different, with obscure scenarios and tension in front of a backdrop of grief, attempted reconciliation, and misdirected love. I have looked to create a world where it is acceptable to sacrifice yourself as a message to an unfaithful lover by the help of a service.
This service seems innocent on the surface but turns out not to be so. This is not understood by the victim, only the client. This is where the name The Story of a Thorn comes from: it stems from thorns being able to do their intended damage before the host notices it – once it hurts, it is too late. Yes, the thorn can be removed, but the host will be left wounded.