Ian Gabriel on his award-winning film career and why he still keeps going
Sara-Jayne chats to South African film director Ian Gabriel about his award-winning work and projects in the pipeline.
Ian Gabriel with SJ in-studio Photo: Cape Talk
For a distinguished and award-winning filmmaker like himself, Ian Gabriel has managed to keep a really low profile.
Humble, empathetic and passionate, Gabriel is one of South Africa's most seasoned filmmakers, who has community and collaboration at the core of his work ethic.
Among Gabriel's most critically acclaimed films are 'Forgiveness' and `Four Corners’, which was also South Africa’s official submission in the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category at the 86th Academy Awards.
Late last year, he also released `Runs in the Family’ on Netflix which he did with his transgender son Gabe Gabriel. It won ‘Best South African Film’ at the Durban International Film Festival last year.
`Death of a Whistleblower’ on Amazon Prime is his latest release.
The film is a conspiracy thriller about a journalist’s dogged pursuit of the truth in the suspected murder of a whistleblower.
The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year.
"We were in the process of editing and they saw a cut of the film. So we had to rush it and get it out there. It was quite an honour to be there."
-Ian Gabriel, film director
"We had already made a deal with Amazon Prime SA so we showed the film at the Joburg Film Festival at the end of February and were awarded best SA Film Award. We shot to the top ten on Amazon Prime for the first couple of days and people are still watching it."
-Ian Gabriel, film director
Gabriel's extensive experience in film and theatre began at Dorkay House, Johannesburg’s famous anti-apartheid theatre venue.
But his foray into film started in an unorthodox way.
He had been working as a teacher in Swaziland during the apartheid era when he was asked to assist a black owned theatre company, which had a show that had just collapsed.
Gabriel, who had always been an effective organiser, found himself taking on the task of coordinating the show's cast.
This got his foot into the door for theatre casting and later assistant directing.
"It all made sense because I went into teaching because I wanted to explain things to people. And I think I'm still explaining things to people."
-Ian Gabriel, film director
Far from the glamourous image it portrays, filmmaking is no easy feat and film projects requires immense self motivation, determination and passion.
"You have to satisfy yourself so that you don't water it down so much that no one wants to watch it. It has to be something you love. You have to believe in it. If you make something you don't love, I think that will show."
-Ian Gabriel, film director
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