All-female film production company Slate 2 Productions has partnered with the Eastern Cape Film Festival to produce a six-minute film, Eruption.
Casting a compassionate eye on mental health awareness, the production, led by Sinomtha Nduna, Miselwa Ngamlana and ECFF chair Nceba Mqolomba, highlights how being shunned by society can have a disastrous boomerang effect.
“We want to educate people about mental health and reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. As artists, we know more than anyone how mental illness can crush you and make you feel like you are just existing without a purpose.
"Unintentionally, we often expose ourselves to situations that put us under pressure and end up comparing ourselves to our peers and family members. We believe the cure to mental ill-health is facing all those loud noises inside your head. Don't avoid them. Scream and allow yourself to breathe,” said Mqolomba.
Explaining the film, Mqolomba said it traces the voices their main character hears in her head and how they affect her as someone who is depressed.
“We want people to be aware that their actions and words may inadvertently affect other people, whether friends, parents, children, peers or strangers. The film also encourages young people to move at their own pace when it comes to their careers and not be pressured by society and family.
"These are taboo topics, especially among black people, as we do judge people and call them crazy. If only we knew that some people have a condition that, just like many other chronic illnesses, can be overcome with proper diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic had affected the whole world in a way never imagined. People had lost relatives, friends, colleagues, livelihoods and sometimes the means to have a livelihood.
“We are here to help put the cracks back together again, to learn how to look at ourselves with love and not judgment, to allow our voices to come out and say, 'I don't want to', or ' I don't feel up to it today' without having your heart beat outside your chest.
"Anxiety and depression should not have to come with stigma. We want to normalise these issues and face our pain and our battles without feeling bad about doing so. Each one of us has a miracle story that can help the next person.”
Slate 2 and ECFF have initiated a crowd-funding campaign to raise the funds needed to produce the short film.
“The funds will be used for the three production phases: pre-production, production and post-production. Including all cast, crew, gear hire, location, catering and transport costs, the film's budget is R160,000.
“Individuals, companies, and organisations can make donations via the link https://www.backabuddy.co.za/miselwa-ngamlana. All contributions will be credited at the end of the film and on all our social media pages."
Mqolomba asked people to film themselves saying “Your Mental Health Matters” or take a picture of themselves with a written sign saying “Your Mental Health Matters” and tag them on social media with the hashtag #yourmentalhealthmatters. On Facebook it is Slate 2 Productions and Eastern Cape Film Festival. On Instagram it's @slate2productions and @ecfilmfest.
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