GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The world premiere of Wild is the Wind was hosted last Friday in Graaff-Reinet by Known Associates Entertainment (KAE), MYD88 Films, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, and the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality. Wild is the Wind was shot in Graaff-Reinet and cast many locals – not only as extras, but as real actors with script. 

This gritty and suspenseful film, written and directed by Fabian Medea, will be aired on Netflix from tomorrow, 28 October.

Willem Safers, Mayor of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, welcomed the guests of honour to Graaff-Reinet and drew a parallel between the title of the film and life: "The wind blows through the mind as wild as it blows across the landscapes. It teaches us to hold on to what we can and let go of what we cannot."

Honourable Deon de Vos, Mayor of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, boasted that the Sarah Baartman district with its unrivalled beauty, is the perfect backdrop for any film.

"We want the film industry to grow here and for this reason, we grab every opportunity to showcase our beautiful district with both hands. May this be the beginning of a blooming film industry in the Sarah Baartman district," said De Vos. He thanked the producers for picking the Sarah Baartman district and for making this film in the Gem of the Karoo. "There is only one Gem in the Karoo – Graaff-Reinet."

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation's Head of Trade, Investment and Innovation, Phakamisa George, explained that the contribution of the ECDC was just a small gesture to soften the financial burden on the producers to enable production of the film. 

"Wild is the Wind unearthed the natural beauty of the area. We believe that the film is going to be an ambassador for the Eastern Cape, and we are looking forward to many more," he said.

Mpumezo Vuzane, National Empowerment Fund - Regional Manager: Eastern Cape, said that this is the first Netflix original film that they have backed. "It was very difficult, but you have been very patient."

He shared a joke about Medea who called him in July 2020 and said that they have to make this thing work because if they don't, they will have to resort to robbing a bank. "I am very glad that it didn't go there!" He added that he is very happy and very proud of this achievement.

Khanya Mbali and Zuco Koti, Graaff-Reinet residents who were involved in the making of the film, thanked the producers for allowing locals to act. 

Koti mentioned that this was not the first film to be made in Graaff-Reinet – there were others before like Red Dust, but the difference is that the producers of Wild is the Wind did not overlook the office of Local Economic Development (LED) and were the first to make use of locals. He extended his sincere gratitude towards Medea for this.

Dan Jawitz, producer of Wild is the Wind, thanked all the funders, especially the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the National Empowerment Fund. Without their support the film would never have happened. He also thanked Medea for bringing the film to them. 

"The film that Fabian brought to us is real and we immediately knew that he had something," he said.

"It is a drama that was written and set in one town, and we knew that it was going to be difficult, particularly since we had no infrastructure – we are hoping that this will change in future." He added that the screenplay was very complex and layered but that Medea was able to include all the layers in the film. 

"We used a lot of local cast, not just as extras, and a lot of local supplies, and in the end, this was a very successful partnership between the production company and the town. We also did not experience any of the problems initially anticipated."

Fabian shared that the film was not originally set in Graaff-Reinet – it was set in the Free State – but the only people who responded positively were the Eastern Cape Development Corporation. He then went on a trip through the Eastern Cape to look for the perfect setting and fell in love with Graaff-Reinet. 

"I do not have too much to say about the film, but I hope you like it."

He ended with a quote by Charles Bukowski that has been his motivation for the past eight years: "If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start… If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."

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