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Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Adam — a raw exploration of masculinity, race and resilience
Adam challenges traditional ideas of manhood through the story of a young man navigating the harsh realities of a strict farm school in South Africa. Drawing from personal experiences and social influences, directors Liyema Speelman and Winford Collings craft a powerful narrative about identity, belonging and breaking free from outdated norms. Liyema Speelman, co-director of the powerful new drama Adam, challenges traditional binaries through the story of a young man confronting the weight of patriarchy and finding healing in its aftermath. More than just a coming-of-age story, Adam offers a raw look at the emotional armour young men are expected to wear, to hide any sort of vulnerability. Fresh out of high school, Adam is trying to define his identity while learning to survive the harsh realities of a rigid farm school. Resilience, he discovers, isn't a choice; it's a lifeline. Directed by Speelman and Winford Collings, the film is part of Showmax's first-time directors slate in partnership with the Joburg Film Festival. The duo began working on Adam in 2023. After its premiere on 4 May, Speelman spoke to Daily Maverick about the inspirations and personal reflections that shaped the film. Adam, played by Marko Voster, is a hot-headed teenager questioning the next steps for his future after finishing high school. Without any warning, Adam is sent to a technical farm school to give him a new sense of direction. As he gets used to his new environment, Adam is forced to leave his 'old identity' behind and 'toughen up'. From the moment Adam arrives at the farm school it's clear that discipline – and abuse – reigns supreme. The institution, founded by the late father of its authoritarian headmaster (played by Dirk Stoltz), is steeped in legacy. But that legacy casts a long shadow that pushes the headmaster into an obsessive drive to live up to his father's image, ultimately leading him towards unravelling. Adam becomes a target of the built-up rage that the headmaster carries. While his schoolmates try to stay out of harm, Adam suffers, often in isolation, and is fearful to speak up. The brutal abuse he endures forces him to confront and redefine what strength and manhood truly mean. Why is this film relevant today? Adam is reminiscent of the popular South African original film, Moffie, directed by Oliver Hermanus, which came out in 2021. Both films explore initiation through the lens of military training, often portrayed as a rite of passage meant to transform boys into men. Adam draws inspiration from the personal experiences of both directors. Speelman reflects on his time growing up in an all-boys school in Port Elizabeth, which he attended from Grade 1. He recalls how slurs and name-calling, often with references to cult cartoon South Park, were a normalised part of daily life. 'If [these] are the only things that you have known, it becomes an afterthought,' he says, 'but soon this afterthought makes you realise that the 'normality' there is slightly incorrect. 'It takes us as filmmakers to kind of mirror [those experiences] and simply create a new path or give new suggestions as to what people should be doing nowadays.' Andrew Tate and the influence of the manosphere Even today, boys and men are often taught, whether subtly or forcefully, that showing emotion is a weakness. At the farm school, Adam's lack of athleticism sets him apart, and he's punished for it. Beyond the film, social media adds to the pressure, with hyper-masculine influencers pushing harmful ideals onto young and often vulnerable minds. Adam challenges this mindset, offering raw, emotional moments that reveal there's real strength in vulnerability. The directors were also inspired by the 1985 film Come and See, directed by Elem Klimlov. The film explores the heavy burden placed on young men sent to the army, expected to carry the weight of saving their country. Adam is their creative way of engaging with and imagining life within that world. Speelman explains that Come and See 'looks at the idea of boys going to war and being excited about the idea of becoming men and then being utterly terrorised, disenchanted and disillusioned by that idea of masculinity. More recently, in March 2025, Adolescence, the Netflix original series, sparked much-needed conversations around hyper-masculinity and male rage. Speaking to Speelman about the series, he points to Andrew Tate, one of the most infamous influencers known for promoting misogynistic content. 'Andrew Tate has become this beacon of fiery strong men, but it's a false archetype, a false god. 'With the rise of Andrew Tate, there's this anger that's fostered within a lot of young men because there's an element where a lot of their identity was grounded on this old idea of what a man is. 'The man essentially is the ketch of the household, he's the breadwinner but when a lot of those ideas are challenged, where now you're not the breadwinner and you feel like you're not needed, you feel left out and I think that's where there's this growing rage that I've been watching is simmering.' Talking about race Race is a subtle but important theme in the film, reflecting the directors' perspectives as men of colour. Through characters like Liam and Davey, the film highlights the experience of a boy of colour in a mostly white farm school. Although Adam isn't a man of colour, his close relationship with Liam, built on shared struggles with harsh punishments, allows the story to explore how race intersects with power and belonging. Dillon Windvogel as Liam. Speelman explains that 'the racial bodies in the film become that bridge within South African society of creating a friendship. But also [help us] truly understand one another to essentially move forward as one union.' Adam may not have visual components as strong as those in Adolescence and Moffie, but its stripped-down aesthetic is a memorable component of the film. It also taps into a deeper sense of stillness, which Speelman says was intentional. His reasoning behind some inert moments in the film is that 'a lot of emotions, especially through cinema, sometimes are rushed through. I think the type of cinema that I gravitate towards is very arthouse. Within that arthouse, you have to sit within the uncomfortability, and that is where the lessons stick a lot more.' Cinematographer Gray Kotze creates an intimate relationship between the viewer and the characters, and with an eye for documentary, he was able to immerse the viewers in Adam's world. DM
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Moffie: a powerful drama making its South African debut at The Baxter Theatre
David Viviers in Moffie which will be presented at The Baxter Flipside from 2 to 27 September Image: The Baxter Following its critically acclaimed run in London, the powerful drama Moffie is set to make its South African debut at The Baxter Theatre's Flipside, running from 2 to 27 September 2025. The production, presented by The Common Humanity Arts Trust in association with The Baxter, promises to deliver a poignant exploration of love, survival, and identity during the apartheid era. Based on the compelling novel by André Carl van der Merwe, Moffie has been expertly adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Philip Rademeyer, with direction and production led by Greg Karvellas, known for works like Dear Evan Hansen. The compelling narrative follows Nicholas van der Swart, a closeted conscript, as he grapples with societal expectations and his quest for self-identity amidst the oppressive backdrop of South Africa's 1980s border war. Esteemed actor David Viviers takes on the lead role, bringing to life Nicholas's harrowing journey with his rich and emotionally charged performance. "It is a huge honour and responsibility to bring Nicholas' journey to the South African stage," Viviers remarked. "Moffie holds up a mirror to our past in a way that is honest, relentless, and beautifully fragile." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ David Viviers Image: The Baxter Receiving rave reviews in London, with nominations for four Off West End Awards, critics have praised Moffie as a 'gripping one-man show' and a 'stunning' theatrical experience, solidifying its impact on audiences before it reaches home soil. The Guardian awarded it a notable five-star rating for its unflinching portrayal of a soldier's torment, while The Stage echoed similar sentiments, heralding it as a 'first-class' production. Lara Foot, CEO and Artistic Director of The Baxter, expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the production, stating, "We are delighted and honoured to present Moffie at The Baxter. It's a powerful, deeply affecting piece that speaks to our shared history and resonates profoundly with contemporary audiences.' The production is marked by its stark and stripped-down set, designed by Niall Griffin, with sound by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder enhancing the immersive experience. Director Greg Karvellas describes the one-man show as an intense exploration of a young soldier's internal battle. 'Every moment is charged with emotion,' he said, inviting audiences into a gripping solo performance that starkly illustrates the pain and beauty of one young man's survival. Set against the oppressive backdrop of 1979 apartheid, Nicholas's story is not just one of personal survival but a reflection on the toxic masculinity and trauma that shaped and scarred a nation. As South Africans grapple with the legacy of this past, Moffie serves as a cultural landmark, inviting audiences to engage with the realities of their shared history. The production runs for a limited season, with performances at 19:30 and Saturday matinees at 15:30. There will also be a special Wednesday matinee performance at 15:00 beginning 10 September, offering discounted tickets for seniors and students. Ticket prices range from R150 to R240, and advanced bookings can be made via Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores. As Moffie prepares to take the Baxter stage, audiences are urged to witness this extraordinary theatrical event that promises to be both entertaining and enlightening—a homecoming for a story that has long lingered in the shadows.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor Gay Romance ‘History of Sound' Bought by Mubi for U.S. as Focus Takes International (EXCLUSIVE)
'The Substance' and 'Queer' distributor Mubi is continuing its acquisition streak, picking up 'The History of Sound,' the anticipated gay romance drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor. Focus Features and Universal Pictures International, meanwhile, have acquired international rights for the film. Directed by Oliver Hermanus ('Living,' 'Moffie'), the feature finished production earlier this year. Mubi says it's planning a theatrical release for 2025, following a world premiere to be announced in the coming months. More from Variety Sundance Favorite 'Lurker' Sells to 'The Substance' Distributor Mubi (EXCLUSIVE) Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott Thriller 'Bring Them Down' Gets New Clip Ahead of Mubi Theatrical Release (EXCLUSIVE) 'Rebuilding' Review: Josh O'Connor Is a Rancher Who's Lost Everything in a Drama That Mostly Just Sits There Announced back in 2021, 'The History of Sound' became the first project Mescal shot after his starring role in 'Gladiator II' and follows two young men, Lionel (Mescal) and David (O'Connor), in the shadows of WWI who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of Americans. As they begin to log the events, the two fall in love. The film was penned by Ben Shattuck, adapted from his own award-winning short story. Mescal has been involved as an exec producer from the outset, marking his first production credit. 'The History of Sound' is produced by End Cue's Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti alongside Fat City's Sara Murphy, as well as Thérèsa Ryan-van Graan, Zhang Xin and Hermanus. Film4, Closer Media, Tango Entertainment and Storm City Films are financing the film. Executive producers are Ollie Madden and Farhana Bhula for Film4, William Horberg and Richard Lewis for Closer Media, Tim Headington, Lia Buman and Neil Shah for Tango, and Dennis Masel and Gabrielle Nadig for Storm City. 'This film is a true passion project. It has been a part of my life, and the lives of Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, for the past five years, and I could not be more thrilled to have found partners in MUBI in North America and Focus and UPI internationally, said Hermanus. 'They champion the cinema I love, and having our film as part of their family of films has made this journey all the more fruitful.' Mubi, led by indomitable cinephile Efe Cakarel, has been assembling a prestige auteur-driven slate for 2025, including Jim Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' starring Cate Blanchett and Adam Driver. Mubi is also a strong presence in this year's awards season with Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance,' which it released in the U.S. and internationally, and has earned five major Oscar nominations, including best picture, director and actress for Demi Moore; it also distributed Magnus von Horn's 'The Girl With the Needle,' which is nominated for best international feature. Hermanus is repped by UTA and LARK, Mescal by Curtis Brown Group and CAA, and O'Connor by Independent Talent Group, CAA, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. UTA Independent Film Group negotiated both deals. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
