Van den Bergh discusses the inspiring film Uitvlucht.
In the heart of South Africa's film industry, a talented filmmaker is making waves with his captivating stories and unique approach to character development. This artist, whose work is protected by copyright © 2016, finds inspiration in people's stories and other filmmakers, crafting cinematic masterpieces that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Currently, the filmmaker is in development for two upcoming projects. "Tertullus," a historical drama about a first-century lawyer, promises to be a riveting exploration of power, justice, and faith. On the other hand, "A Life Lived" tells the story of a woman who is illegally institutionalized and fights to win custody of her son, offering a poignant commentary on societal injustices.
The filmmaker's storytelling style and approach to characters have been heavily influenced by Jans Rautenbach, with whom he had a significant experience working in the late 60s. His work is a testament to the belief that a great story is any story, but the way it is told makes the difference.
This belief was evident in his semi-autobiographical film, Uitvlucht. The film offers an unflinching look at fallibilities and the grace of God, reminding strongly of Faith like Potatoes, dealing with faith that heals broken lives, but with love as the healer. Uitvlucht tells two stories that demonstrate the value of past struggles in achieving a happy future.
The process of creating Uitvlucht was not without its challenges. The story was relatively easy to tell, but deciding where to draw the line and maintain the integrity of the truth was a complex task. Despite the challenges, the filmmaker is proud to have been nominated for best film at the Indie Karoo Film Festival.
In addition to filmmaking, the filmmaker enjoys a variety of hobbies, including reading, cooking, watching Scandinavian TV dramas, observing wildlife, and collecting Union of South Africa stamps. His creative pursuits extend beyond the screen as his wife, Clara Joubert van den Bergh, is writing a comedy called "Bon Voyage Ouma Koos."
Clara also contributed believable dialogue, particularly for the children, during the screenplay writing process for the filmmaker's projects. The collaboration between the couple was fulfilling and harmonious, as they had the same end in mind.
As for future projects, there is no publicly available information about current film projects involving director and screenwriter Etienne Fourie. However, the filmmaker advises aspiring screenwriters to watch good films and write. He believes it is beneficial for directors of heartfelt stories to have some acting experience, a lesson he learned during his journey in the film industry.
The film industry has grown and technology has changed since the 60s and 70s, but the importance of stories remains the same. Film festivals provide an eclectic array of films, exposing young filmmakers to different approaches and broadening their horizons. For this filmmaker, the journey continues, with new stories waiting to be told and shared with the world.
