VANISHING ELEPHANT
MTHUNZI
2019 | NARRATIVE | 9' | 4:3 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE | SUBSTITLES: ENGLISH / FRANÇAIS / ESPAÑOL / 中文
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LOGLINE
LOGLINE
Mthunzi gets distracted on his way back from the store.
Based on real facts and rooted in the current and past history of South Africa, Mthunzi is a movie under tension, both for the excellent performance of its actors and its impeccable image. Impressive by its strong subject matter − which resonates with our European reality − and important by its unstoppable effectiveness, Tebogo Malebogo’s first film undoubtedly reveals the talent of a promising filmmaker.
- Charlotte Corchète, Head Shorts Programmer of Locarno Film Festival
"While walking home from the store, a young man is prompted to help a seizing woman, and unknowingly demonstrates the danger of doing the right thing. Cape Town–based filmmaker Tebogo Malebogo’s briskly tense script and direction elevate Mthunzi from a simple morality tale into a nervous thriller about implicit biases in unfamiliar circumstances."
- Tyler Wilson, Head Shorts Programmer of New York Film Festival
“Centered on a chance encounter, MTHUNZI gives an intimate and powerful glance into the intricacies of unconscious bias. Beautifully captured, grounded performances and daring choices on behalf of the filmmaker left the jury stirred by this gentle narrative.”
- Jury Statement, Special Jury Award (Live Action) at the 33rd AFI Fest
...with involving performances, an efficient script and crisp, suspenseful direction, this short thriller is a promising first sign of a confident and socially conscious young talent.
- Le Cinéma Club (lecinemaclub.com)