What do you get when you combine a troubled mother-son relationship, drugs and murder? An intriguing film about the harrowing account of a woman put through the penal system, tried for murder and driven by an unflinching love for her son. One of the most controversial South African murder cases is heading for the big screen – Ellen, Die Storie van Ellen Pakkies.
The film was recently screened at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in January 2018 and will be released in South Africa in September this year.
“I am humbled that by international standards, a small film has managed to be recognised by such a prestigious festival. We are truly humbled and just want to say thank you to everybody who made it possible, especially Ellen Pakkies,” says executive producer, Paulo Areal.
Told across two timelines, the movie shares the story of Ellen (Jill Levenberg) and her stormy relationship with her twenty-year old drug-addict son, Abie Pakkies (Jarrid Geduld). In 2007, his death caused a stir worldwide when it was revealed that his mother was the one who murdered him. When advocate Adrian Samuels (Clint Brink) takes on the case, he is determined to prove that Ellen had no choice. But what compelled her to stop seeking help? How does a mother become desperate enough to take her own son’s life?
Talented team working with Ellen Pakkies
Award-winning director and founder of Gambit Films, Daryne Joshua, known for the success of his debut feature film, Noem My Skollie, was the creative mind behind this production and the producer is Schalk Burger. The script was created by talented writer and producer Amy Jephta with input from Ellen Pakkies herself. Ellen also helped to recreate some of the scenes in the movie, which was filmed at her home where the actual events took place.
Jill Levenberg, who has had several roles in films and television series like Genadekans, Noem My Skollie (South Africa’s official entry for the 2016 Oscars), Leemte, While You Weren’t Looking, Abraham, Bekkies Gevind, As Ek Huistoe Kom, Fluit-Fluit, Atlas, Uitvlucht and Suidooster (for which she received a Huisgenoot Tempo Award nomination in 2017) stars as Ellen Pakkies and has already received positive feedback on her outstanding performance. The film also showcases the talent of actors like Elton Landrew, Shimmy Isaacs and Kay Smith.
“The Rotterdam International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious international film festivals. So obviously, I am overjoyed that our humble South African project has risen above probably thousands of submissions from around the world and made the Official Selection for 2018. A big congratulations to the producers and crew – I thank you from the bottom of my heart, we should be proud of this great achievement. Now on a world stage, hopefully the film can help bring understanding and a context to the remarkable story of Ellen Pakkies,” says Daryne Joshua.
What: Ellen, Die Storie van Ellen Pakkies.
Release date: 7 September 2018
WS
