‘Finding Graham’s Town’ is a satirical short film created and directed by Kyle Robinson. The film aims to raise funds for the mistreated donkeys of Grahamstown.
‘Finding Graham’s Town’ is a satirical short film created and directed by Kyle Robinson. The film aims to raise funds for the mistreated donkeys of Grahamstown.
Robinson described the film as a story following Lieutenant-Colonel Graham and Officer Wilshire, two men associated with the formation of Grahamstown in the early 1800s.
They are on a mission 100 years later to change the course of history and set-up a new military town that is more to their liking than the one that currently exists. Along the way they meet other historical figures all on a similar, dire, pursuit.
He said the main source of inspiration for the story was the beauty of Grahamstown’s surrounding environment, along with what he terms the “age old joke” of why Graham happened to choose this particular valley when setting up camp.
"The film is a light-hearted, completely fictional satire which alludes to historical events, characters and locations,’ said Robinson.
Filming locations included Wayne Vos’s farm, Craig Doone, High Street, the 1820 Settler’s National Monument and Mountain Drive.
Robinson, along with assistant director and production manager Dumisa Lengwati, recalled High Street as being their favourite filming site due to what Robinson described as "a very funny interface between past and present". Today’s cars were contrasted with a donkey cart carrying two colonial soldiers and a traditionally attired Makana.
According to Robinson, the most enjoyable part ofthe film’s production was working with the film’s big creative team, which was comprised of mostly student volunteers along with Basil Mills and his family: “The team is absolutely dedicated to seeing a vision into fruition,” Robinson said. Lengwati reaffirmed this view and expressed thanks to everyone involved for their enthusiasm.
All funds raised will go towards the Makana Donkey Association, which is run by Grahamstown Sheriff Annerie Wolmarans.
‘Finding Graham’s Town’ will be released in the final week of March in collaboration with ROAR (Rhodes Organization for Animal Rights).
Updates on the exact release date will be posted on the film’s Facebook page ‘Finding Graham’s Town’.
Robinson can be contacted by email at: kyle.robinsonfilm@gmail.com
