Illusion of Distance

llusion of Distance delves into the enduring effects of the Apartheid. Boeta Allie, an 80-year-old man classified as coloured by the Apartheid government was separated from his childhood friend Isaac Mbenyane because of his race. The two were inseparable as children while living in District 6, before forced removals scattered communities and families across the Cape Flats. Boeta Allie and Isaac ended up in neighborhoods set aside for so-called coloureds and blacks by the ruling party of the day. Langa and Bonteheuwel are only divided by a highway but because of pass laws and the restriction of movement, the friends did not see each other for more than 70 years. The film follows Boeta Allie's journey as he is accompanied by 'born-free' filmmaker Sapho Wulana to try and find his long-lost friend Isaac.

Writer/Director

Sapho Wulana

Sapho Wulana is a socially conscious artist, activist, and filmmaker. She discovered her love for filmmaking through a training course provided by the iTOUCH Foundation in 2014. Inspired by Feroza Adam's commitment to equality in South Africa, Sapho pursued further education in scriptwriting, camera skills, editing, directing, producing, and sound at Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking.

In 2017, Sapho established the Imibono Yethu Film School in Khayelitsha, empowering local youth to tell their own stories. Graduating from Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking in 2019, her film "Coronavirus Chronicles" received recognition from the Documentary Film Association South Africa in 2021. She is an active member of the Kino Kadrè Cinema Circle, engaging in innovative cinematic processes to drive community collaboration and transformation. In 2019 Sapho was part of film students who attended Zanzibar International Film Festival in Stone Town, Zanzibar and participated in the festival.

In July 2022 Sapho had the honor of attending Documenta 15, a prestigious international contemporary art exhibition in Kassel, Germany. As a representative of the Kino Kadrè Cinema Circle and South Africa, she showcased her work alongside installations, performances, and other forms of contemporary art.
In addition to her film work, Sapho has embarked on a new journey as a web developer, receiving training in website development through the Artists For Artists Project's low-code bubble bootcamp. This exciting chapter allows her to continue expanding her artistic vision and impact.

Directing "Illusion of Distance" in 2023 has immensely widened Sapho's perspective, allowing her to gain profound insights from life's everyday lessons while pursuing her passion for filmmaking.

Director Statement

As the director of "Illusion of Distance," my mission is to shed light on the power of human resilience and the enduring impact of forced separation during the apartheid regime in 1950s South Africa. This heartfelt film centers around Boeta Allie, a colored man who is separated from his childhood friend, Isaac Mbenyane, due to racial segregation.

Set in the neighborhood of Bonteheuwel in Cape Town, our film intimately explores Boeta Allie's emotional journey as he works to reunite with Isaac, who was forcibly relocated to the distant township of Langa. Through this narrative, we aim to highlight the false sense of distance created by apartheid. Despite physical proximity, communities were kept apart, accompanied by injustice and suffering experienced by individuals like Boeta and Isaac.

Themes of home, friendship, history, and human resilience resonate throughout the film, providing a profound reflection on the enduring spirit of humanity in overcoming adversity. As a director, my motivation stems from the belief that art can serve as a powerful tool for exploring and understanding historical events.

By bringing the story of Boeta Allie and Isaac to life, I aim to honor the experiences of those affected by apartheid while fostering empathy and dialogue surrounding its enduring effects. "The Illusion of Distance" offers a unique perspective on the human capacity to endure hardships and find strength in relationships, even in the face of oppressive systems.