The Cane Cutter ready for release after challenges
Timothy is an award-winning writer, director and producer of film and television, and the founding chair of the Cape Film Commission. He served two terms as vice chairperson of the Writers Guild of SA. His film career spans over 23 years, with a solid foundation from the Los Angeles City College where he obtained his diploma in cinematography.
The Cane Cutter was shot in Durban two years ago, boasting a crew of 20 members and seven cast members, with Razeen Dada and Dr Kajal Lutchminarian on leads. It was produced under Durban-based Trinity Pictures by Shan Moodley.
Also read: Film set to explore reconciliation in families
Timothy shared, 'Through the trials, we managed to have a couple of focus groups before we locked the picture. We were supposed to release The Cane Cutter in November last year. But due to personal issues that impacted my family and me, right up to mid-December, I had to put the release date on hold. Even now, we are dealing with these issues.
'The movie is now ready for sound mix, music and colour grading. It's very exciting and we had some amazing feedback from our focus group,' he enthused.
Timothy offered some insight into the story, 'A young man in pursuit of his identity meets a young woman fighting for her independence. Two teens meet on the last indenture ship, the Umlazi. A Telugu indentured boy and a paid passenger, a Gujarati girl. Like so many others, they never found each other. Over a hundred years ago, their great-grandchildren met and fell in love.'
Also read: Local young filmmakers aim for stars
Focus group member Dr Michelle van Tonder said, 'I had the privilege of being invited. This poignant and nostalgic drama weaves an epic love story into the fabric of a defining era in South African history, spotlighting the resilience and rise of hardworking Indian communities as they shaped their place in the nation's evolving identity.'
Another focus group member, Tash Reddy, echoed, 'The twist and turns of the love story reminds one of real life, where not everything works out like in the land of fables. The movie inspires all people groups to honour culture, reality and truth as it embellishes this true life story into the heart of the movie enthusiast.'
Timothy's film career has seen him co-write the film adaptations of Shakespeare's Othello, and direct a short Spanish film El Gotico in Hollywood alongside Rosanna Travares of the Pussycat Dolls.
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