Lives change forever when Tau, the young lion, kills two corrupt policemen in a South African shanty town.
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LIBERTY
Synopsis
Christian moves to Tanzania with his do-good parents and tries to find his way in a community of ex-pats and Africans.
Challenge
Re-creating 1970s East Africa in South Africa.
Approach
To maintain the authenticity of the project, Stage Five Films travelled to Arusha, Tanzania, to meet the Danish team at the base of Kilimanjaro. Upon joining the location recce, it became clear that it was possible to authentically recreate the required 1970s locations in South Africa, outside of Johannesburg, reducing both logistical challenges and cost implications.
The character-driven drama featured a large cast of various ethnicities. This required a hands-on casting approach that spanned several African territories.
The series was both location and schedule intensive, and required thorough movement plans and diligent production implementation.
Our crew shot in multiple locations daily, racing against the clock to remain on schedule. Thorough movement plans and diligent implementation ensured this travel-intensive series hit all the marks on time.
This production had a lasting impact on Stage Five Films. The Danes are known for their pragmatic, inclusive, and minimal production style, and we embraced their approach in our own teams. This fusion resulted in a remarkable chemistry that we believe translates to the screen. Stage Five Films continues to employ many principles from Danish filmmaking.
Key information
5-part mini-series
5
Shoot weeks, all on location in SA
13
South African cast and crew
90%
Cast members
72
Results
- Liberty premiered at the first edition of the Berlinale Series and was one of seven projects to be selected in the series.
- We successfully shot in a range of difficult locations, gaining access to gold mines, sawmills, and forestries.
- The Danish team returned to South Africa in late 2021 to shoot a second project with Stage Five Films: The Karen Blixen biopic “The Dreamer”.
NR. 3/3
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