Modern South African Western film, Flatland, explores themes of race, societal class, and gender in a contemporary setting

In the world of contemporary filmmaking, South African writer-director Jenna Bass has made a significant mark with her latest feature, 'Flatland'. This genre-bending drama, which had its North American premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and opened the Panorama section of the Berlinale Film Festival in February 2019, is a captivating exploration of life in communities that exist on the margins.

'Flatland' is Bass' third feature film as a director and writer, following her award-winning works such as 'The Tunnel' (2010), 'Love The One You Love' (2014), 'High Fantasy' (2017), and 'Rafiki' (co-written with Wanuri Ka-hiu, premiered at Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2018). The film, which is a mashup of western, police procedural, and kitsch, is set against the backdrop of the Karoo, South Africa's heartland.

At the core of 'Flatland' is the story of three women: a pregnant teenager, a young bride, and a middle-aged cop. The real culprit of the murder is Natalie Jonkers (Nicole Fortuin), a shy, young, and just-married woman who flees her small, rural town on horseback and teams up with her childhood friend Poppie (Izel Bezuidenhout) to outrun the law and make their way to Johannesburg. Their story explores inter-class and -racial friendship, as well as gender roles and consent, especially in the context of Natalie's abusive husband.

The film was shot by international cinematographer Sarah Cunningham and produced by South Africa's Proper Film, Luxembourg's Deal Productions, Germany's In Good Company, in co-production with Germany's unafilm and ZDF/Das Kleine Fernsehspiel, and in cooperation with Arte. It is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution.

'Flatland' questions issues of race, class, and gender, and offers a portrait of femininity against a hostile frontier land, exploring what it means to be a woman today in South Africa and the world at large. The film is a strange and beautiful depiction of unique characters and places that can't encapsulate the whole, complicated country.

Jenna Bass, a South African writer, filmmaker, and former magician, realised early on that she couldn't identify with traditional Westerns and wanted to create a Western that would be more inclusive of women. With 'Flatland', she has certainly achieved that, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on a classic genre.

Modern South African Western film, Flatland, explores themes of race, societal class, and gender in a contemporary setting