The Ellen Pakkies Story has yet to be released in cinemas - yet the fliek has already bagged three major awards.
The film - depicting gripping scenes of the lives of Ellen Pakkies and her addicted son, Abie, premiered in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Ellen Pakkies wins big at Silwerskerm Festival @StarburstPromo @EllenPakkies #TheEllenPakkiesStory https://t.co/MEqQP2ttVv pic.twitter.com/XoZSblOeOz
— Artslink.co.za (@artslinkcoza) August 27, 2018
Just three days later, on Saturday, actress Jill Levenberg, from Kensington, won the Best Actress award for her outstanding role at the annual kykNET Silwerskerm Festival at the posh Bay Hotel in Camps Bay.
And Eerste River’s Jarrid Geduld, who plays Adam Pakkies aka Abie, palmed the Best Actor award, while Amy Jephta, from Mitchells Plain, won for Best Script.
#Silwerskermfees: 📷 📷 📷 Blaai hier deur foto’s van ons wenners! @skutdit @marche_media @EllenPakkies @Germandt_G @Cindyswaan @_BDaniels @ShowmaxOnline @DStv @kykNETtv
— #Silwerskermfees (@SilwerskermFees) August 27, 2018
Jill plays the lead role as Ellen, a mother who killed her drug-addicted son out of depression.
Both Jill and Jarrid are first-time awards winners.
Thanking “everyone involved in this film”, an ecstatic Jill says: “There are no words to describe how I feel.
“Thank you to Aunty Ellen for being so brave to share her story with the world. When we are transparent we facilitate mutual healing.”
She called on locals to support the fliek, out in cinemas on 7 September, saying: “The international community is recognising our work, but we need the South African public behind us.”
. @JillLevenberg was bereid om enige rol te speel in Ellen, #DieEllenPakkiesStorie, solank sy kon deel wees van hierdie film, wat #EllenPakkies se verhaal deel op die grootskerm.
In filmteaters vanaf 7 September 2018 @StarburstPromo @AlishiavanDev @Sonkoerant @KuierOfficial pic.twitter.com/3ubozoC5vy
— Die Ellen Pakkies Storie (@EllenPakkies) August 27, 2018
Jarrid, who was not at the event, says: “I feel incredibly proud to be given this award. My spirit feels lifted. My soul is grounded. I can only thank God for choosing me to be on this journey.”
An overwhelmed Amy says: “I’m still processing this award, I am glad the festival acknowledged this film and our [Cape Flats] community and I hope the film reaches the people it must.”
The fliek also stars Clint Brink, Ilse Klink, Elton Landrew and Russel Savadier.
Daryne Joshua directed the movie, which was produced by Schalk-Willem Burger and Paulo Areal with input from Ellen.
venecia.america@inl.co.za