Brett on the Innes and outs of his storytelling journey
ROBIN HILLS – Brett Innes is a storyteller passionate about film and his bright future.
Brett Michael Innes grew up in Randburg and attended The King’s School Robinhills. The director of the remake of Fiela Se Kind recalls the arrival of the Randburg Sun as a weekly occurrence in his childhood. Since his days as a school boy, he has attended the AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, and has excelled both in his roles as a filmmaker and author.
Innes began his career as a documentary filmmaker. He spent the first three years of his career with non-governmental organisations which fed his love for travel.
“We all create and view the world through the lens and environment that we are raised in. Travel has greatly impacted my view of the world and how we are connected, an experience which has drawn me to want to tell stories that explore the grey arreas between polarising opinions or characters” elaborated Innes.
Innes also identified the difference between the craft of documentaries and fiction films. “Documentary film making involves a lot more ‘listening’, being present with a camera and capturing everything so that, when you get to the edit suite, you are able to create a narrative. Fiction asks you to be way more prepared going into it, especially, when you are trying to craft images that have high artistic value.”
The storyteller exclaimed that he recently got engaged to be married next year to the man of his dreams. “We both got down on our knees a few months ago to ask the question. So, in the midst of trying to get the next films off the ground, we’ll be planning some festivities.”
Innes has a couple of screenplays scheduled for production. “Most notably one on the Westdene Dam bus disaster. Add wedding planning to the mix and international festival travel with Fiela Se Kind and the future looks bright.”
Innes expressed positive sentiments towards the South African film industry and its current trajectory and looked forward to more women cast in the role as director. Fiela Se Kind will be released in cinemas on 13 September, after the first film adaptation was released in 1988.
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