The 12-minute film was part their final year exam.
The script was written by director Unathi Fani, and produced by Nadine De Carvalho.
The cast members, crew and assistants were all AFDA students. The film is titled I’m Black and I Hate It.
The story is about Mbali (20), who is a carefree black girl, or so she thinks. She struggles with accepting her hair, as she has been taught from a young age to always brush it and have it neat.
Unfortunately, that’s how society wants it.
Her best friend, Max, persuades her into doing something about it, especially since she is trying to get her crush’s attention.
She finally goes to the hair salon, which becomes torture for her.
Despite her efforts at doing her hair, Mbali needs to decide whether changing her appearance to satisfy society is really worth it.
De Carvalho said that, after a long search for a salon where they could shoot the film, a family friend told her about the Essential Hair and Beauty Salon.
“As someone who has lived in Boksburg my entire life, it is easier to produce a film here, in an area I am very well acquainted with,” she said.
“The owner of the salon, Alida Engelbrecht, was more than willing to accommodate us and provide us with the opportunity to shoot the film.
“The aesthetic look of the salon is absolutely beautiful, which will add a great texture and feel to our film.
”The salon was large enough for all equipment and the staff were extremely accommodating, as they waited for us to go over their work hours; one of the staff members even became one of our actresses.”
On September 29, the students wrapped up the shoot and they are currently busy with the post-production stage of making the film.
I’m Black and I Hate It is scheduled to be screened at their graduation festival, on November 25 and 26, at the Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau, in The Zone at Rosebank.
You can follow the students on their film-making journey and be updated on the screening of their production on their Facebook page, @NadathiShortFilms, and on Instagram page, @dinkied_productions.
