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Psychological Thriller Tackles Post-Colonial Shadows
22 Jul
Summary
- South African and Dutch producers collaborate on psychological thriller 'Third Wheel'.
- Film explores post-colonial power dynamics through a dark family secret.
- Shooting is planned for 2027 with development funding secured.
A new psychological thriller, 'Third Wheel,' is being developed through a collaboration between South Africa's Totem Zea and Dutch production company PRPL. This project, highlighted at Fantasia's Frontières Co-Production Market, promises a gripping narrative intertwined with a sharp commentary on post-colonial power dynamics in Africa.
The film, directed by Student Academy Award nominee Zoe Ramushu, centers on Thina, a young Black surgeon adopted by her biological mother's employers. Set against the backdrop of a Drakensberg mountain estate, the story unfolds as Thina prepares for her wedding, confronting unsettling truths within her adoptive family. Ramushu describes the film as an allegory for Africa's post-colonial journey, examining how independent nations navigate relationships with former colonizers.
'Third Wheel' is scheduled for production in 2027 and has already attracted development and production funding from the Thuthuka Co-Development Fund. This initiative is a joint program between South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation and the Netherlands Film Fund, signaling strong international support for the project.
