By Sitha Maliwa:
In what could be a major boost for the film industry in the Eastern Cape, a locally produced movie is set to showcase the province’s untapped acting talent.
The much-anticipated film, Rhythm of the Street – featuring largely inexperienced but gifted young actors from the province – is set to premiere on Thursday in December at Hemingways Mall in East London.
The storyline tackles social issues such as the abuse of young women, particularly students who become sexually exploited by older men due to financial vulnerability. According to the filmmakers, the movie aims to expose harsh realities while opening conversations around accountability, protection and empowerment.
The film, whose teaser clips have gone viral on social media and generated excitement among local audiences, was shot at various locations around East London. It is directed by KwaZulu-Natal-based actor Charles Gumede under Man B Entertainment, owned by local businessman Man B Tyekana.
Gumede said the message behind the movie is intended to encourage awareness among both victims and perpetrators of gender-based exploitation.
“Some young women apply for student funding and experience delays, making them vulnerable to predators who offer money in exchange for sex. These are young people who should be protected. This film shows the reality so that society can face the problem head-on,” said Gumede.
He also highlighted another sensitive issue touched on in the movie – false rape allegations.
“There are cases where people demand money after consensual sex and threaten to report it as rape if they are not paid, which leads to serious legal consequences,” he said.
Gumede and actor Athi Ntanjana are the only established names in the cast, while the rest make their on-screen debuts.
Meanwhile, Gumede revealed that discussions with international streaming giant Netflix are at an advanced stage for a four-part series to be shot in East London early next year.
One of the new faces is actress Asemahle Tyesi, who plays a rural girl who moves to the city to chase her musical dreams, only to encounter exploitation.
“This is my first acting role and it was challenging, but very exciting. We had to produce quality work, and judging by the hype, people are really going to love this movie,” said Tyesi.
Tyekana explained that another purpose behind the production was to educate young people about the realities of the film industry.
“We chose new actors because we don’t want them to be exploited. When they enter the industry full-time, they should know their rights and what to expect. We also want young women to avoid depending on rich men for survival, and the movie reflects this,” he said.
He added that he funded the movie himself to attract investors to support their vision.
“We are always open to funding for future productions, but we wanted to start something first and show that this is serious business,” he said.
The premiere will take place at the mall’s cinema section. Proceedings will start with red-carpet photo opportunities at 11:00, followed by the official screening at 12:30. Only 100 seats are available. – @NewsSA_Online
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