Movie makers showcase South Coast
The horror movie will also have a Christmas flair as it was made during the festive season in Freeland Park.
Mid-South Coast film enthusiast Keyur Maharaj has made a name for himself in the industry, both locally and internationally.
The 22-year-old is on a mission to showcase the stunning South Coast and create awareness on mental health through his latest production, Jolly Red.
Through Light Haus Media (founded by Maharaj and his best friend KJ Vadivelu Jairaj) and Young Gladiator Productions (founded by Enrico Mark Ramnarian), this psychological slasher horror film is sure to gain a fandom.
The movie will also have a Christmas flair as it was made during the festive season in Freeland Park.
Jolly Red is said to encapsulate a South African Christmas, such as locals going to the beach because of the unbearable summer heat then going to a typical ‘jol’ with friends.
“With this movie, we wanted to show off South Africa’s rainbow nation with different races playing diverse characters, and we will show this little piece of paradise on the South Coast that I grew up in,” said Maharaj.
“It will also show societal problems with religion and how communities view each other based on gender and mental health, and that’s when we introduce our main character Rohan.”
Jolly Red is about a young man named Rohan who invites his friends over for the Christmas weekend – which also marks his parents one year death anniversary.
During this one-year period, Rohan realises that his friends have been caught up with their own personal matters and begins to feel abandoned.
“He starts hearing voices in his head, and his bipolar disorder forces him to create versions of his friends that do not exist,” explained Maharaj.
“Their obliviousness to his fragile mental state results in him crashing deep into an episode. And, it’s the consequences of obliviousness and people suffering and not talking to each other that he and ultimately everyone faces.”
The local movie allows viewers to get to see people’s genuine selves and the version that is hidden.
Maharaj stressed the importance of having proper support systems in life as he has bipolar disorder as well and would like to break certain stereotypes surrounding this disorder, as well as showcase the thriving LGBTQ+/queer culture in South Africa.
Jairaj, who is also the director of photography for Jolly Red, is ready for the country to view this local production that the cast and crew have worked so hard on.
She has been described as one of the most hard-working and creative people on set, whose vision is authentic and pure in capturing the world in all its beauty.
Jairaj allows for a bridge in both good and bad, rendering it down to only an experience to witness with no judgment.
The duo would like to give a big shoutout to each and every person that was a part of Jolly Red.
Jolly Red would also not have been possible without the support from the mid-South Coast community.
The team is also looking for sponsors who would be able to help with getting this production a cinema screening in the new year.
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