Kimberley to the big screen: Film celebrates unbreakable friendship

THE UNBREAKABLE bond between international movie director, writer, and actor Tom Datnow and his late friend, Michael Brand, is brought to life in the film ‘Poacher’s Moon’, which is being shot on Datnow's childhood farm outside Kimberley, where their friendship first blossomed.

The movie features a star-studded cast of prominent South African actors, including Kimberley-born Thami Mngqolo, known for his role in ‘Generations’, Muzi Mthabela from ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ and ‘Generations’, and Kwenzo Ngcobo, who starred in ‘The Wife’. The cast also includes Hollywood actor Stelio Savante, known for his work in international films and TV productions.

Datnow, who wrote the screenplay, described the film as a deeply personal legacy project dedicated to Michael, whom he never had the chance to properly say goodbye to.

“I started writing this story about 20 years ago. It was a one-act play at a theatre in London. I was about 16 years old when I wrote it and right after my closest friend, Michael, died. Ever since then I have been trying to tell his story, which is also my own personal story as well. For the last five years I have been solely focussed on telling it,” said Datnow.

“We were like brothers growing up. At the time, I spent half the time between Kimberley and London. When I was at school in London, I was quite badly bullied and when I came back to Kimberley, Michael was like an older brother to me - he was always protective of me and always had my back. When I was at school in London, my guard was constantly up and I was constantly on the defensive, whereas when I was back in Kimberley, I was different, I had someone who was a protector instead of an aggressor. That was how the bond was formed between us.”

Datnow said that despite growing up during a time when racial segregation was rife in South Africa, he and Michael’s brotherhood knew no boundaries.

“When my dad bought the farm from my uncle, Michael and his uncle were already living on the farm. My father was a surgeon and loved to read the British Medical Journal (BMJ). One day he put some of the journals in the trash. My father came out on the stoep and found Michael sitting and reading those journals. My father was very impressed by that, and they had a conversation.

“At that time I was about eight years old and at school in London. My father called me and told me about this boy named Michael, who was about my age and was reading his medical journals. I think my father was fascinated with this young boy who had an interest in his medical journals.

“When I came to Kimberley I got to meet Michael. We had a natural and unbreakable bond. Though at the time it was out of the ordinary for two children of different races to form a friendship, Michael and I were as close as brothers. As a child, you do not see anything but the humanity of the person who is in front of you. Somewhere along the way, for many people that gets polluted, poisoned and tainted with ideologies and dogmas. That is not inherent to humans.”

Datnow said the movie portrays a fictionalised ending to the real-life story and is a reflection of the memory of his friend, which he carries with him always.

“Michael was staying on the farm up until the time he died. His mother and some of his extended family were living in Greenpoint. He used to ride his bicycle to Greenpoint to see his mother on weekends. He was riding on his bicycle when he was hit by a truck on the Bloemfontein road. I never had true closure on the matter and I do not know where his grave site is. We only knew his uncle.

“The accident occurred around 2007 and there was apparently an article printed in the newspaper about the incident. My father did not want to share details about the article in the newspaper as he told me at the time that it was a very gruesome accident. I was about 17 years old and in London at the time Michael died. I have since struggled to trace his family as we heard that his surname, Brand, is quite common in the city. I am continuing with my search.

“This is more than just a mere movie, it is my legacy project to my brother,” Datnow said.

Renowned producer and director Mqondisi “MQ” Ngubane, who was one of the directors of ‘Shaka iLembe’, said the production would showcase undiscovered talent in the Northern Cape.

“We initially wanted to shoot the movie in Eswatini, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, but none of those plans panned out. Tom and I budgeted the film and saw that it would cost us R22 million. We had only managed to raise R4 million. I turned to people whom we knew in the industry. This is a project of faith. It took a village to make this movie and everyone working on this production has not placed monetary gain as the driving force behind this,” said Ngubane.

“Our plan is to transform the film and art industry in Kimberley. That is possible. Half of the crew is from Kimberley and although they do not know the industry, we have been training them on the job. There are no catering or film crew companies in Kimberley. We have been hosting various workshops where we teach people how to act, how to use lighting and how to look for different camera angles, and how to direct. We are here to give what we know. We did not just pop up, we were also given an opportunity.”

Ngubane said the city has immense untapped talent, which needs to be unlocked.

“When Hollywood was founded, it was a dessert. Walt Disney saw the potential and built Hollywood. We employ over 100 local youth for one production. Imagine if there were several films being shot, we could employ hundreds more. We want to make sure when we are done, there will be others who will come to Kimberley to make their films.

“The people of Kimberley must also stand together and tell their own stories. By putting your skills, knowledge and talent together for a common goal, you can create magic. I was taught by the late Shona Ferguson that if you do something yourself, you do not owe anyone else. Raise your own money to do this, so that you can tell it your own way. Some broadcasters limit creativity because they fund productions.”

The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has warmly welcomed the production.

Department spokesperson Conrad Fortune said the production has contributed to the economy of the city.

“The production is expected to have a profound economic and cultural impact on the Province. Local businesses, from hospitality to logistics, stand to benefit immensely from the influx of cast, crew, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the project will create temporary job opportunities for local artists and highlight Kimberley’s unique landscapes and heritage as a prime filming destination,” said Fortune.