Congratulations are in order for the team who have brought to the big screen one of the most controversial murder cases in SA history. Ellen, Die Storie Van Ellen Pakkies is the story of a Cape Flats mother who in 2007 killed her tik-addicted son. It was directed by the award-winning Daryne Joshua, who was also the guiding hand in Noem My Skollie.
Those behind the making of the movie have just announced that the film has been selected to be part of the 44th annual Seattle International Film Festival in the USA. The festival begins on May 17th and ends on the 10th of June. Ellen, Die Storie Van Ellen Pakkies will be one of 400 films, from 80 countries, to be screened at this prestigious event.
Producer Schalk-Willem Burger has told the media that they are excited about the movie being included in the festival as it documents one of only a handful of mothers who have murdered their own children.
The film reveals what led Ellen to murder her 20 year old drug addict son, Abie. It examines the inner turmoil of a family ravaged by drugs in one of the most violent communities in South Africa and highlights the plight of the poorest of the poor, the scourge of drug abuse and a social system that has failed them.
Ellen is played by Jill Levenberg and Abie by Jarrid Geduld. The film is scheduled for release in SA in September of this year.
