Interview with Jerome Pikwane, Director of Horror Movie “The Tokoloshe”

How many African horror movies do you know ? Well South Africa has a new one: The Tokoloshe. Film director Jerome Pikwane shared a few thoughts on the movie and the role he played in its creation, and what he thinks of the future of the African film industry.

The idea for the film 
The film was written by Richard Kunzman and I over a number of years inspired by mostly European art house horror films from the 70’s such as “Rosemary’s baby”, “Don’t look now” and “Jacob ladder” to name a few. The film is an allegory about the evils of patriarchy told using the tale of the bogeyman.

Hardships while creating the film

I think the usual stuff filmmakers deal with, wishing you had more funding, more time and more toys.

 Other projects in the making ?

I have a few scripts that I’m developing right now and hoping to get them off the ground soon. I also shoot promo’s for various brands.

Your opinion on the African film industry

I think because technology is so readily available it is much easier for young Africans to tell their stories in their own unique way. There is a huge appetite for African content on the continent and diaspora, so the future looks bright.

The film has been to over ten international film festivals including Lund in Sweden, Motel x in Portugal, Bifan in South Korea, Sitges in Spain, Razor reel in Belgium, Frightfest in London and the opening night film at The Durban international film festival.

 

Synopsis

Busi, a young destitute woman with dangerously repressed emotions, lands a job as a cleaner at a rundown hospital in the heart of Johannesburg.

Desperate for the money so she can bring her younger sister to Johannesburg, she must cope despite the predatory and corrupt hospital manager. When Busi discovers an abandoned young girl in the hospital, who believes she is tormented by a supernatural force, Busi must face her own demons from her past in order to save the child from the abusive monster that pursues them both relentlessly.