Who doesn’t want to see our own neighbourhoods, our own accent, and our own struggles reflected on the big screen?Â
Kuilsriver’s own Enrico Hartzenberg is changing how our stories are told. He has made history by becoming the first local filmmaker to release an anthology of short films in cinemas nationwide.
His collection, titled Heart & Hustle, recently wrapped up a limited run at Ster-Kinekor theatres across the country, from the V&A Waterfront to Johannesburg. It is a massive win for independent filmmaking and a reminder that our local stories have the power to fill cinema seats.
Enrico grew up performing on his childhood porch, and today wears many hats as a writer, actor, and storyteller who draws from his own life and his ties to his community.
He started Hartzenberg Films to make sure the lived experiences of people on the Cape Flats get the spotlight they deserve, while avoiding the usual tired tropes. He chooses instead to look at the heart of what makes us human.
What Heart & Hustle is About
Heart & Hustle brings together four short films, each tackling different social issues.
Ou Ses: Elke Move Tel: this is the main feature in Heart & Hustle. We follow Charles, who returns home after being locked up for a crime he never committed. He finds his house taken over by the man who set him up. The story focuses on the courage needed to protect a family and looks at life in the Cape Flats through a different lens.
Sister Dinges: Here, we follow Marshall, a queer man mourning his mother. He tries to carry out her wish to be cremated while dealing with family drama, but a homophobic attack sends him on a mission for revenge.
After Quiet: Jason steps in to help a woman named Anele leave an abusive household. By helping her, he has to face his own silence and the history he tried to hide, risking his safety to stop a cycle of pain.
Mr. Isaacs: Tauriq is a young soccer star with a bright future, but a heavy family secret starts to pull him toward a path that could ruin everything he has worked for.
To get Heart & Hustle onto a cinema screen, Enrico worked with a long list of talent: Ayden Croy, the late Crystal-Donna Roberts, Siyamthanda Bangani, Fezeka Nontlanga, Siba Qoba, Lisa-Maree Bruiners, Tamia Thompson, Marlon Swarts, Amy May, Tashreeq De Villiers, Rasheeqah Karriem, Charlene Le Roux, and Awethu Hleli.
Enrico believes these films help people see the many different sides of Cape Town. He wants the work to start conversations among viewers and show that independent filmmakers can reach mainstream audiences when they have the right platform.
If you missed the cinema run, Heart & Hustle will likely premiere on the small screen on Showmax or KykNet at an unspecified future date.
Who is Enrico Hartzenberg?
Enrico Hartzenberg is a multi-talented creative who acts, writes, and produces through his own production company, Hartzenberg Films. Since founding the company, he has delivered an array of work across different mediums—a web series called “Van Adamse,” the film “My Best Friend,” and theatrical productions “Liefde is Rooi” and “Die Lig is Blou,” the latter premiering at Artscape Theatre.
Author: Editorial Team
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