Film creator Karen van Schalkwyk discusses the intricacies of The Adventures of Supermama
Karen Van Schalkwyk, a graduate of Writing Studio and a former film journalist, is set to release her highly-anticipated film, "The Adventures Of Supermama," this year. The movie, which took over 15 years to develop, will be released through Nu Metro and Century Cinemax on 14 June 2019.
Van Schalkwyk, who worked for Screen Africa and other publications, began her journey in the film industry by completing her first screenplay, "Ren," in 2003. She furthered her studies at the Binger Institute in Amsterdam and the New York Film Academy.
Produced by Samuelson Productions, "The Adventures Of Supermama" involved co-producers from both local and international partners, although specific names are not widely documented. A deal was recently signed with Trace Distribution, a French distribution company, to help distribute the film.
The film, which had its world premiere at the Durban International Film Festival in 2018, has been screened at several prestigious events, including the African Film Trinidad & Tobago film festival in official selection in May 2019. It was also nominated for Best Comedy at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2018.
"The Adventures Of Supermama" stands out from other films due to its lack of fancy camera moves, model-like actors, and adherence to a more realistic style. Van Schalkwyk emphasises the importance of creativity and allowing actors and crew to bring their own ideas and personalities to the project.
In an interview, Van Schalkwyk advised screenwriters to be firm and not let others dictate the terms. She also encourages determination, hard work, knowing when to say no, knowing when to say thank you, and not compromising on their story.
Van Schalkwyk hopes that audiences will like "The Adventures Of Supermama," a film that deals with many different aspects and is both an intimate and a big story. The film was self-distributed due to the unwillingness of Ster KineKor, Indigenous Films, and others to take a risk and put it in cinemas. However, with its upcoming release, audiences will finally have the opportunity to see this unique piece of work on the big screen.
Streaming platforms, online services, and Netflix have significantly changed the perception of cinema and TV, but the release of "The Adventures Of Supermama" in cinemas is a testament to the enduring power of traditional film distribution. The film industry in South Africa has seen an increase in the number of films being produced, and "The Adventures Of Supermama" is a shining example of this growth.
