Living in South
Africa, I am constantly aware of the incongruencies of our society. The recent
football World Cup has put new light on my country, but the extravagance
thereof should not overshadow the daily stuggles of people living here.
What was so
striking, and perhaps the most shocking, about my visits to Blikkiesdorp was
that there was nothing foreign or unrecognisable about the people I
interviewed. There was no otherness. We share a language, a history, a culture,
a country. They are polite, family-oriented people, but their daily struggles
are something I cannot imagine. Will there be food on the table tonight? Will
your neighbour have frozen to death at night? Will your child be safe on her
way to school?
I did a lot of
research on Blikkiesdorp prior to filming. I knew of Anthea and her family who
lived there, and that they would be able to talk to me and introduce me to other
potential interviewees.
The biggest
challenges were using low quality equipment as well as being concerned about my
safety. But people were open and eager to help me, and eager to talk.
As an aspiring
documentary maker, I want to be able to tell people’s stories; the stories that
never get out. Particularly the stories of Africa. This is the one significant way
I know that I could make a difference.
Enjoy.
-
Mia
Cilliers
