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From South Africa comes Safe Bet, a compelling and hilarious action-comedy that shows how the desire for money leads to adverse consequences with some comedic relief on the side for friends Frank and Khaya.
FilmDoo speaks with director Bonginhlanhla Ncube about the movie which has won the hearts of American and European audiences alike.
Safe Bet was well-received by American as well as European audiences when it premiered in San Francisco and Romania. Were you expecting a positive response, or did you have any prior qualms about the audience reception in these regions?
This has probably been the most surprising of my experiences. Making a comedy film for the global audiences is always a huge gamble as comedic elements are not necessarily universal; what South Africans find funny, not everybody else in the world will find funny. I remember the insane butterflies in my tummy during the San Francisco screening at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival. I was so worried but all my uncertainties swiftly turned into a frenzy blast of fun followed by a 40 minute long curious Q & A. The audience was actually cracking up to the comedic moments in the film (including jokes I thought were exclusive to South Africa).
During the same screening session I also learnt that the film had been invited to screen at Europe’s largest comedy festival, Comedy Cluj in Romania then Atlanta too at the Bronzelens Film Festival. The US audience calmed my nerves and gave me confidence in the film’s global acceptance.
How was it working with actors like Luthuli Dlamini, Wandile Molebatsi and Godfrey Thobejane for the film? Were they personal choices for their characters or were they auditioned?
The top 3 (Wandile, Luthuli and Godfrey) were personal choices. I’ve worked with Godfrey before and I’d known Luthuli and Wandile enough to craft some plausible characters for them. Luthuli was brilliant; I call him the ‘Morgan Freeman’ of South Africa. He brought in an accent that took the whole story to another level and I’m sure this accent is easily identifiable in Europe.
We worked as a family and everybody knew their obligations. I always allow actors the biggest of room for altering stuff to further bring out the juice – they did just that. Godfrey is always an amazing fella, his acting is flawless and he takes his job extremely serious. I like that.
In one of his interviews, Luthuli Dlamini mentioned that you allowed lee-way for your actors. Can you comment more on this?
Yes, that is absolutely true. I believe there are key people in a film that should be allowed their own creative space; Actors, Editor, Colourist, Score Composer, Sound Designer, Cinematographer and Production Designer. It is therefore imperative for me to understand my story will continue to evolve in each of these people’s hands and I must allow them to show off their skills. At the end of the day all their creativity is packaged into a single film and that approach often yields a great film.
What inspired you to write the screenplay for this film?
The story was written by a good friend of mine, Carl Roddam – he did an amazing job. I only developed the screenplay so that I can bring to the story certain elements of ghetto life that I knew Carl wasn’t exposed to. I also like to incorporate the feedback from brainstorming sessions at Screenplay stage.
The story was basically inspired by the concept of what we call “Black Tax”. In Africa, many newly employed young people find themselves entering their future goals with baggage of their siblings’ fees, supporting the family, paying rent at home etc…all these things which really shouldn’t be their problem but remain a moral obligation.
One particular scene that caught my attention was when the antagonist Doc goes with Frank to the latter’s house. When they arrive there, Doc sees Frank’s father lying in bed and, in a surprising twist, gives a vital piece of medical advice as only an expert doctor can do. Is there an important message you wish to convey with this scene?
Yes. Help comes in its strangest forms yet it’s still help. Doc had a passion for his profession but was pushed out of the system because he was an ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker with unconventional methods. He did not follow norms and standards. In real life this still happens to many of us. An SA top DJ friend of mine recently lost his job because he could not follow norms and standards set in the program, now he is practicing his craft with liberty and what he’s done already is highly admirable.
I’ve heard that you’re inspired by the ability of people to alter or maintain ethics in varying circumstances, as well as the fight for survival. Can you expand more on this?
Indeed. So my belief is basically that anyone can be anything from a saint through to evil monster. We are not often defined by who we are or our background but, crazy enough, the circumstances applied at any given point in time. If you got hungry enough and there’s no-one to help, you might just steal something (and become a thief), if our buttons are pressed well enough we might just shoot someone (and become a murderer). This fascination I have about human ethics basically has formed the backbone of my films and storytelling. I believe as human beings we are all selfish. Take an example when we see a driver speeding like crazy past us; often we not happy and think the worst of that person yet we are not in his situation, we don’t know why they’re speeding. Flip the story around and it’s you in the same situation, speeding cause you’re late for that make or break meeting, or taking your pregnant lady or sick child to the hospital. Suddenly everyone driving normal is driving slowly and they are a nuisance.
The movie has a fresh and quirky vibe but there certainly is a very important message. What do you hope audiences learn and realize from the movies that you make?
That no-one is perfect. That we all make mistakes. That crime is not good and doesn’t always pay. That family is EVERYTHING and we’ll do anything for them.
If there was one dream project/story that you could write and direct, what would it be?
The one that I’m busy with now. For me every project I embark on is a dream come true and my greatest endeavor.
Who among the renowned filmmakers do you see as your influences, and why do you particularly like their work?
James Cameron. He’s my hero. He has in many ways influenced the world and technology through film. He goes beyond many of us who use technological tools to make films; his ideas have led to creation of certain film technology. That’s a very long story for another day.
Can you share something regarding your upcoming film projects?
Yes, I have several projects up my sleeves. Of great fascination is the story about one African King Sekhukhune I (1814 – 1882) who fought and prevailed against formidable foes. Another hilarious road trip action comedy flick is also on the radar based on a true story of how one man turned a hijack that could have ended his life into an adventure. Then my darkest side emerges in a drama short film called Lay By. The short film explores the relaxed approach to rape in the SA legal and communal systems and you must not watch that one…
