The story of Ellen Pakkies not only captivated South African audiences, but that of the world of as well.
Pakkies killed her drug-addicted son Abie in 2007, after suffering years of abusive at his hands.
After strangling Abie to death, she was sentenced to three years of community service, and this was when she dedicated her life to being a community leader whose sole purpose was ro fight the scourge of drugs in the Cape Flats community.
Director of the upcoming film based on Pakkies’ harrowing experience, Daryne Joshua, met her at this juncture in her life.
Speaking to iOL, Joshua admitted that he was reluctant to direct the story. “The producers were looking for a director for the movie the project was already in the pipeline. I was very reluctant to do it but the producers were very persistent,” he said.
But then he met Pakkies in person. “I met Ellen in Muizenberg and I spent two hours speaking to her about her life and what she went through. While speaking to her I just thought to myself that this is a genuine mother. She came across extremely warm.”
Pakkies will be played by Suidooster actress, Jill Levenberg, as Joshua wanted to cast someone who understood what it was like to play a character from the Cape Flats. “You want to know that the actor is acting in a authentic way that someone can relate too and someone who understands the Cape Flats,” he said.
The film has already received international acclaim at the Rotterdam international Film Festival in the Netherlands. It will also compete at the 44th Seattle International Film Festival.
The film will screen in South Africa on 7 September 2018.
Picture: YouTube