A movie about the life of Ellen Pakkies has been selected to be screened at the prestigious Rotterdam International Film Festival this weekend.
And local mense can expect to see the true story of the mother who killed her tik addict son on the big screen in September.
Ellen, Die Storie van Ellen Pakkies stars actors Clint Brink, Jill Levenberg, Jarrid Geduld, Kay Smith, Elton Landrew and Shimmy Isaacs.
Ellen became a household name after she was convicted of strangling her 20-year-old tik addicted son Adam to death in September 2007.
The Lavender Hill mother escaped jail time and was sentenced in 2008 to correctional supervision and 280 hours of community service.
The mother of four testified that life was hell with Adam, who had been addicted to tik for years.
She lived in fear of her violent son who stole from her to feed his drug habit.
He lived in a hokkie in her backyard, and when she refused to give him money, he would smash her windows, and once he stabbed her.
She begged police for help on many occasions.
The court found that on the morning of Adam’s death, Ellen was in a “dissociated” state of mind after years of repeated abuse.
ADDICT: Adam Pakkies strangled
The desperate mother strangled her son with a rope in his shack, closed the door behind her and set off for work like nothing happened.
Hours later she asked to be taken to the police and admitted to taking her son’s life.
Today, the mom travels around the country, telling her story in the hope of helping others affected by drug abuse.
Ellen’s story inspired filmmaker Daryne Joshua, the award-winning director and founder of Gambit Films known for successes like Noem My Skollie, to take up the project.
The role of Ellen is played by Jill Levenberg, while Jarrid Geduld plays Adam. Clint Brink portrays Ellen’s lawyer, advocate Adrian Samuels.
Executive producer, Paulo Areal, says the movie could not have been made without Ellen’s input. Areal is thrilled that the film was selected by the Rotterdam International Film Festival, and will be screened on Saturday.
“I am humbled that by international standards, a small film has managed to be recognised by such a prestigious festival. We are truly humbled and just want to say thank you to everybody who made it possible, especially Ellen Pakkies.”
Ellen did not respond to queries for comment on Thursday.
genevieve.serra@inl.co.za