Fish Hoek director Uga Carlini accepted an award at the African Movie Academy Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria, after Angeliena, the locally shot and produced film, received seven nominations.
Angeliena, the feature film shot and produced on the south peninsula during the second Covid-19 wave, received seven nominations and won one award at this year’s African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Director Uga Carlini attended the event held last month in Lagos, Nigeria, with the cream of Africa’s film-making talent.
“It was the greatest honour, to be included in the incredible pool of the best the African continent has to offer,” the multi-award-winning director said.
In 2016, Ms Carlini won an AMAA for her first documentary feature, Alison, which told the remarkable survival story of Alison Botha, who in 1994 was raped, stabbed more than 30 times and left for dead, but she was not able to attend.
“This time I was determined to make up for lost time, and I did not regret a second of it,” she said.
Angeliena, written by Ms Carlini, tells the story of a parking attendant who, after a string of life-changing revelations, pieces a plan together to chase her dream of travelling the world.
The South African film, released by Netflix worldwide in October 2021, was nominated for numerous awards, including best director, best first-time fiction director, best film produced, and best lead actress.
Morag Steyn, of Fish Hoek, won the award for best make-up design.
“To win an award of this stature is honestly amazing, and it is my first win on African soil. I am so proud of my team that we managed to do what we did within the time frames we had. Fish Hoek holds a very special place in my heart. It is really amazing that all the cast and crew members were all South African as well,” Ms Steyn said.
Towerkop Creations, based in Fish Hoek, produced the film, with a backdrop that covered Kommetjie, Ocean View, Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town and Scarborough. Local talent was employed for everything from casting, to catering.
“It was a very difficult time for all of us, and we wanted to empower the locals and give them jobs,” Ms Carlini said.
Asked why she wanted to highlight the south peninsula, the Fish Hoek film-maker said: “Because it is the most beautiful place in the world and so are its people, beings, animals and nature.”
Ms Carlini said her cast, production team and support staff had been critical to the film’s success.
“It’s not just about me, it’s about everyone who worked with me so hard to make this movie happen in one of the most difficult times for the world,” said Ms Carlini. “These nominations are for everyone who worked on this film, watched and loved this film and helped get the film to the point where it got made.”