I assisted in pre-production research on this production and was delighted to learn that I would be working with an Oscar winning filmmaker. No sooner had my work on the production as a film archivist commenced when I became uncomfortably aware that this was going to be more of an anti South African film than an exploration of Africa's oldest film industry.
Worse was to come from the filmmakers when I was informed that "we as foreign filmmakers know your country's history better than you do so shut up, bring us what we demand from you and keep your opinions to yourself".
That was bad enough but it at least prepared me for a 30 year career as a film archivist in which I assisted with research on more than 500 film productions including the ghastly Long Nights Journey Into Day.
Worse was to come from the filmmakers when I was informed that "we as foreign filmmakers know your country's history better than you do so shut up, bring us what we demand from you and keep your opinions to yourself".
That was bad enough but it at least prepared me for a 30 year career as a film archivist in which I assisted with research on more than 500 film productions including the ghastly Long Nights Journey Into Day.
