The streets of East London were abuzz yesterday morning when an international production crew was seen shooting a scene from a film near the Oriental Plaza.
The US production crew arrived in the city this week after spending a week in Port Alfred, where they had shot scenes for the film which is set during the genocide in Rwanda.
The team has partnered with Faith Broadcasting Network (FBN) to produce the movie, titled Beautifully Broken, which tells the story of three families – two based in Rwanda and one in the US.
It is through the relationship with FBN that the team is shooting the Rwandan scenes in the province.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived on set yesterday, a section of Milner Street near the Northwest Expressway was closed off and a number of curious city residents had gathered to watch proceedings. As the film extras made their way on to the set, so the number of onlookers increased.
Milner Street was transformed into a war zone with wrecked vehicles and armed men walking around. The majority of the extras were River Bible Institute pupils.
Well-known South African actress Sibulele Gcilitshana – who has appeared in a number of local productions, the latest being Saints and Sinners on Mzansi Magic – has a role in the movie.
So does Zimbabwean born actor Leroy Gopal, although it is not clear at this stage what characters they play.
The lead actor is Kenyan-born star Benjamin Onyango, who now lives in the US. Onyango recently featured in the Christian movie, God’s Not Dead.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Onyango said he had a great time working with the local team.
“This is a movie about redemption. It’s one that will take the viewers on an emotional roller-coaster.
“My character has gone through a lot in his life but still manages to be the guider. He is a wise man who always speaks healing words,” he said.
One of the producers, Chuck Howard, said although the story was not focused on the Rwandan genocide, it still formed an important part of the story of the three families.
“This story is about the ultimate betrayal and the ultimate forgiveness. These three families who did not know each other end up helping one another in this movie.
“We have shot some parts of it in America and now we are doing the Rwandan scenes here in South Africa,” he said.
FBN president André Roebert said they had been sub-contracted by the production company to help them in shooting the African side of the story.
“About 130 people have been employed and we have more than 200 extras who are also getting paid.
“In Port Alfred we had about 100 extras who were also a part of the movie,” he said.
Roebert said the film brought about R9-million into the city.
The film is due to be released in March next year although it was yesterday unclear whether it would be shown in East London. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
City a stage for redemptive movie on Rwanda genocide
The US production crew arrived in the city this week after spending a week in Port Alfred, where they had shot scenes for the film which is set during the genocide in Rwanda.
The team has partnered with Faith Broadcasting Network (FBN) to produce the movie, titled Beautifully Broken, which tells the story of three families – two based in Rwanda and one in the US.
It is through the relationship with FBN that the team is shooting the Rwandan scenes in the province.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived on set yesterday, a section of Milner Street near the Northwest Expressway was closed off and a number of curious city residents had gathered to watch proceedings. As the film extras made their way on to the set, so the number of onlookers increased.
Milner Street was transformed into a war zone with wrecked vehicles and armed men walking around. The majority of the extras were River Bible Institute pupils.
Well-known South African actress Sibulele Gcilitshana – who has appeared in a number of local productions, the latest being Saints and Sinners on Mzansi Magic – has a role in the movie.
So does Zimbabwean born actor Leroy Gopal, although it is not clear at this stage what characters they play.
The lead actor is Kenyan-born star Benjamin Onyango, who now lives in the US. Onyango recently featured in the Christian movie, God’s Not Dead.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Onyango said he had a great time working with the local team.
“This is a movie about redemption. It’s one that will take the viewers on an emotional roller-coaster.
“My character has gone through a lot in his life but still manages to be the guider. He is a wise man who always speaks healing words,” he said.
One of the producers, Chuck Howard, said although the story was not focused on the Rwandan genocide, it still formed an important part of the story of the three families.
“This story is about the ultimate betrayal and the ultimate forgiveness. These three families who did not know each other end up helping one another in this movie.
“We have shot some parts of it in America and now we are doing the Rwandan scenes here in South Africa,” he said.
FBN president André Roebert said they had been sub-contracted by the production company to help them in shooting the African side of the story.
“About 130 people have been employed and we have more than 200 extras who are also getting paid.
“In Port Alfred we had about 100 extras who were also a part of the movie,” he said.
Roebert said the film brought about R9-million into the city.
The film is due to be released in March next year although it was yesterday unclear whether it would be shown in East London. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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