Locally produced short film ‘Molelekoa’, which is written by Moso Sematlane, is set to make its debut on the global stage with its Asian and premiere in Beijing next month.
Sematlane is a 28-year-old writer and director who holds a Bachelor of arts degree from AFDA School for the Creative Economy in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He achieved the distinction of winning an award for the best unproduced short film at the 2020 Writers’ Guild of South Africa Muse awards.
Additionally, he was shortlisted for both the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story prize and the Gerald Kraak awards.
Sematlane serves as a trustee and coordinator for the Majoaneng Academy of Image and Letters, an esteemed arts organisation. Furthermore, he is an editor and curator for Mamosetse, a newly established magazine that focuses on storytelling in both fiction and narrative non-fiction.
The narrative revolves around the adventures of a Mosotho man named Molelekoa, who encounters legal troubles and subsequently becomes the target of a police manhunt.
“While evading the authorities, Molelekoa grapples with the difficult decision of whether to remain in or depart from the beloved country of his birth. During this intense pursuit by the police, we are introduced to a variety of other characters who are similarly reflecting on the complexities of life in Maseru, contemplating both its positive and negative aspects,” Sematlane said.
He mentioned that he received assistance from his filmmaker friends, Motikoe Khiba and Katiso Hlabane who are cinematographers, and Refiloe Motsamai who is a sound designer. They collaborated with him to transform his film into a passion project, as he was facing financial constraints.
In an interview with theReporter, Sematlane opens up about how this film explores Basotho culture, particularly through the lens of language and the architectural landscape of Lesotho. He explains that the film envisions the nation’s appearance and cultural identity in the aftermath of colonisation, questioning whether these changes are embraced or present challenges.
“I am optimistic that the film will be showcased in various locations beyond its current phase, which is known as a festival run. During this phase, I am required to submit the film to different festivals, with the hope that they will deem it of sufficient quality to be included alongside other programmes,” Sematlane said.
He indicated that he deliberately selected the Beijing International Short Film Festival because it welcomes experimental short films from outside Beijing, that reflect diverse cultures and explore innovative forms of cinema.
Unlike traditional cinema, which adhere to well established conventions, this festival favours a category of film known as experimental film, providing a platform for unconventional cinematic expressions.
“I am currently working on another project, which I plan to begin filming in November. My objective, after this endeavour, is to create a full-length feature. Ideally, this project will be associated with a production company or a producer, as I currently lack the necessary resources to undertake it independently,” Sematlane noted.
He added that working on the film ‘Molelekoa’ significantly contributed to his artistic exploration, inspiring him to develop a deeper curiosity about art in general.
