120 Hours
A Short Film by BlackendWhite
Behind The Story
What do you do when you experience that moment? The moment when you have a great idea on your hands but somehow you just can’t bring it to life. Or even worse - the idea just won’t come to you the way you need it to. Handling a concept as compact but also as important as a short film that will depict that lifestyle, identity and creativity are the main drivers of young black womens’ productivity is definitely one of those moments. We had our work cut out for us with this one so we took to the streets to find out how exactly to position the matter at hand.
Through putting together the findings it became apparent that the environments young black women are placed in to put work together don’t highlight the importance of their identity being maintained in order to create original and impactful work. It is in environments like these where destructive coping mechanisms come about and actually taint the quality of the work. How to bring that across accurately in 2 and half minutes? Try impossible! An even more impossible task for Director Banele Mazibuko who had to bring the content together to create the very real and relatable symphony.
One of the best aspects of creating content such as this one is in the knowing that you are creating content that is of your lived experience. It makes it so much easier to bring the vision to life. The exploring of identity in the context of the writing, the shooting of the film and fine tooth combing through the scenes makes you want to do some introspection and ask yourself, how much of your own identity are you nurturing and securing space for in your work? How original can your work be if it doesn’t have the bits and pieces of you in it?
Logline: Find answers in places you never think to look.
Synopsis
The Problem is That You Think You Have Time
In the bustling streets of Johannesburg, thousands of creative minds cross paths. Each chasing a dream, a cheque, a deadline. Each with colorful backgrounds that influence their lives and identity. It’s that very identity that makes them stand apart from one another. This is the battle Duduzile finds herself slap bang in the middle of - her battle with expressing her identity.
120 Hours centers the life of young black creative woman struggling to make her work and identity connect. A series of events that seem to deter her from what she should be doing to meet her looming deadline, take place in a space of week but are tied together in a surprisingly successful twist.
Duduzile learns that it is important for her to maintain a healthy and eventful lifestyle in order for her true identity and originality to stand out in her work.
Short Film:
120 Hours - Find Answers in Places You Never Think To Look
Starring:
Mbali Jozi
Xoliswa Njokweni
Busi Mhlotshazana
Jabu Thwala
Kaya Mtengwane
Production:
BlackendWhite
Copywriter:
Lisa Vabaza
Multimedia:
Banele J. Mazibuko
Designer:
Madikela Dikgale
Full Presentation
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jqlysnE1U1CEWkA6hf3HSEwrq5WMHsOJ
