She’s a writer with lover’s block

 
These words sum up the lead character’s dilemma in the new delightful romantic comedy Tell Me Sweet Something starring Nomzamo Mbatha and Maps Maponyane as unlikely lovers. What started in a rehearsal space in Norwood in November 2010 has blossomed into the most anticipated film of the year. The film also stars Kagiso Lediga, Thomas Gumede, Thishiwe Ziqubu, Thembi Seete and Mandisa Bardill.

 
 
SYNOPSIS
 
Moratiwa (Nomzamo Mbatha) is an aspiring novelist with writer’s block. She hasn’t had much luck with love ever since her ex-boyfriend Norman went out to buy milk and never came back.
 
Moratiwa now runs a second-hand bookshop in the hippest most vibrant part of the new Johannesburg, unfortunately in the glamorous world of it girls and boys; books are not ‘a thing’.
 
Tired of having a recluse as a best friend, Tashaka (Thishiwe Ziqubu) convinces her to party up a storm at a new club in the city; it is here that she meets South Africa’s no.1 celebrity model Nat Masilo (Maps Maponyane) or as she nicknames him “The 45 Foot Man” on account of a huge billboard in which he features that is (in) conveniently situated directly opposite her bookshop.
 
They exchange small talk and Moratiwa isn’t impressed that Nat doesn’t read books. As she tells Tashaka: “He’s a model, what would we talk about?” Tashaka replies: “Who says you have to talk? Against all the odds, Nat begins to court Moratiwa.
 
Two different worlds collide in this charming, funny, romantic and very sweet film showing a side of Johannesburg that is rarely seen: The City of Gold as a City Of Love. Will they or won’t they? As Moratiwa says to Nat: “I am writing a love story.” Nat says: “Will they get together?”  Moratiwa replies ‘I haven’t written the ending yet.”
 
Rififi Pictures in association with Mvest Media, Ladies & Gentlemen, The National Film And Video Foundation, The Department of Trade And Industry, The Gauteng Film Commission, PANA TV and The Crowd Funders presents Tell Me Sweet Something. Produced by Akin Omotoso, Robbie Thorpe and Ronnie Apteker, Co-Written by Akin Omotoso and Robbie Thorpe and directed by Akin Omotoso. The Executive Producers are Matthew Moodley, Cecil Barry and Daniel Ogbonna. The director of photography was Paul Michelson and Production Designer is Sue Steele. The editor is Vuyani Sondlo. The Score is by Ganja Beats and features songs by Thandiswa Mazwai, Zakes Bantwini, Nandi Mngoma, Lerato Moiloa, Ade Piper, Kyle Deutschmann, Shekhinah Donell, LCNVL, Reason, Lakota Silva and Isle of Skye.
 
The film is not rated yet. Running time: 90 minutes
 
 
 
GENESIS
 
The movie Love Jones is a classic African American love story starring Larentz Tate and Nia Long. Director Akin Omotoso saw that film as a student in 1997 and promised himself: “One day I want to make a film like that.” Fast-forward to 2010, the African Women’s Development Fund awarded Omotoso a grant to develop a new project. The project was to be a love story. The project was going to develop organically. The only thing decided was the title; everything else was up for grabs. For a month in November 2010, five actors and Omotoso work shopped the idea of what a love story set in Johannesburg would look like. What types of characters should inhabit the world, what situations are uniquely Johannesburg, what situations could the lovers find themselves. Countless improvisations and countless sessions carried on for a month. Omotoso collated the material. In 2011, a further five actors were added to the process after another grant was awarded by the AWDF. Again for another November ten actors continued the work from the year before. CNN was on hand to cover the process.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmh8n1_a-fresh-take-on-african-film_news
 
After that process Omotoso and co-producer and co-writer Robbie Thorpe worked on the final script.
 
THE FUNDING
 
Ladies & Gentlemen signed on first in 2013. The Department of Trade And Industry rebate was instrumental in the funding as was the VOD channel PANA TV. The National Film And Video Foundation gave a grant to the production. In order to cover the shortfall, the team resorted to Crowd Funding. Akin Omotoso had crowd funded all his feature films from God Is African to the award winning Man On Ground. This time around the Crowd Funders were enticed with a sexy angle. The producers held a Pixel Pledge evening. The Crowd Funders essentially bought a pixel of the film for a certain amount. At the end of the process they will all have an autographed piece of the film as a framed piece of art and they would be the only one’s with that art work in the world. The Pixel Pledge evening was held on October 16^th 2013 and at that evening the balance for the film was raised.
 
PRODUCTION
 
Making their screen debuts are two actor’s South Africa loves. Maps Maponyane and Nomzamo Mbatha in a relatively short space of the time have established themselves as media darlings and their own screen chemistry is charming to watch. Nomzamo plays Moratiwa and Maps plays Nat. Rounding up the cast is SAFTA Winning Actress Thishiwe Ziqubu as Moratiwa’s best friend Tashaka. Thomas Gumede stars as Nat’s best friend Gordon. Funnyman Kagiso Lediga plays Katlego, Tashaka’s boyfriend. Thembi Seete makes a welcome return to the screen as Lola, Moratiwa’s assistant at the bookshop and Mandisa Bardill plays Robyn, Moratiwa’s accountant.
 
A month before the shoot, the actors once again took part in an intensive four-week workshop process that included improvisations, gym sessions, character exercises and voice and movement classes. All in an effort to bond and make sure everyone had a full grasp of their characters.
 
Principal photography began on the 5^th of May 2014. The main locations were The Maboneng Precinct and Bramfontein. The journey to re-imagine the city as a place of love included other locations in Troyeville, Zoo Lake, Newtown and the Johannesburg CBD. The shoot lasted for a month.
 
POST PRODUCTION
 
Editing began in June 2014 and was completed in December 2014. Work on the Score and Soundtrack began in January 2015 with Ganja Beatz. The film features new music by Lerato Marcia, Kyle Deutschmann and Shekhinah Donell. It also features classic tracks by Thandiswa Mazwai, Zakes Bantwini, Nandi Mngoma and LCNVL feat. Reason and Lakota Silva.
 
Tell Me Sweet Something is released by UIP and is in cinemas nationwide from the 4^th of September 2015.
 
CAST LIST
 
Moratiwa            Nomzamo Mbatha
Nat Masilo          Masego ‘Maps’ Maponyane
Tashaka               Thishiwe Ziqubu
Lola                     Thembi Seete
Gordon                Thomas Gumede
Katlego                Kagiso Lediga
Robyn                  Mandisa Bardill
Sashi                    Roshina Ratnam
Zodwa                  Refilwe Modiselle
Lerato                  Mampho Brescia
Landlady              Vanessa Cooke
Norman                Mpumelelo Mcata
Rachel                  Jaci De Villers
Pam                      Louise Saint-Claire
Mr. Jones              Michael Richard
Electrician            Makhaola Ndebele
Khalo                    KP Ndlovu
Tebogo                 Teboho Mahlatsi
Vincent                 S’dumo Mtshali
Interviewer           Vishanti Arumugam
Reporter                Lawrence Maleka
Tramp                   Andrew Worsdale
Photographer        Abena Ayivor
Director                 John Barker
Pretty Woman       Fikile Mthwalo
Mime                     Craig Morris
Homeless Guy       Tshabalira Lebakeng
Vegetable Seller    Sadies Mohamed
Well Built Man      Steve Mululu
Young Woman       Dineo Moeketsi
Boy 1                      Quintin Denyssen
Boy 2                      Luvuyo Mandela
Boy 3                      Carmi Le Roux
Norman’s Son         Ndzalo Giovanni Maringa
Model                      Bisi Sowemimo
Girls at Pool            Boitumelo Mogapi
Mbalenhle Ngcobo
Busisiwe Nhleko
John                         Dillon Knox
Naked Woman        Diane LeCluse
Models At                Nikita Joubert
Fashion Show          Shawnee Reid
Zintle Lilafuthi
Laura Madonsela
Kendra Trevethan
Scooter Drivers        Werner Grobbelaar
Phumlani Radebe
Policeman’s Voice    Fako Lenkoe
Bouncer                    Robert Kenneth Fletcher
Kizomba                   Victoria Smith
Dancers                     Prenuka Rajarathnam
Tessa Kerrich-Walker
Nathan van Deventer
Karl Bajal
Naima McClean
Benon Magezi
As Themselves         Angela Makholwa
Yewande Omotoso
Niq Mhlongo
William Gumede
Siphiwo Mahala
Jonathan Boyntonlee
DJ Warras
DJ Milkshake
DJ Kenzhero
Azania Mosaka
Tshepiso Mabulane
Craig Jacobs
Happy Married         Ntate Prince Bonisile Thethe
Couples                     Mme Refilwe Jane Thethe
Ntate Pule Johannes Tsotsotso
Mme Sindiswa Muric Tsotsotso
Ntate Bongani Archie Radebe
Mme Liza Radebe
 
 
 
 
 
 
CREW
 
 
 
 
Co-Producer                                             Rethabile Mothobi
 
Associate Producer                                   Jayendra Naidoo
Nkunku Sowazi
Mikhial Mariemuthu
Emile Mariemuthu
Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon
Kerry Elsdon
Nana Sao
David Kau
Thalia Kau
Tshepo Ditshego
Jonathan Gimpel
Nina Askeland
Christopher Todd
Laurie Slatter
Yaw Peprah
Ayo Obisanya
Colin Barrow
Kelley Ann Starke Dow
Dineo Skwambane
Tebogo Skwambane
Dawn Mokhobo
Kingdom Mugadza
Victoria Wickins
Tracey Ann Volkwyn
YFM
Cabby Magongwa
Alupheli Sithole
Kim L. Robinson
Tshepiso Sello
Marc Baleiza
 
 
 
Production Manager                                 Addie Vigario
1^st Assistant Director                                Emile Smith
2^nd Assistant Director                               Tebogo Mkhabela
Script Supervisor                                      Yolanda Vermaak
 
Acting Coach                                             Lionel Newton
Worskhop Tutors                                       Bubu Mazibuko
Kurt Isaacs
Fitness Coach                                            Steve Mululu for Dream Body Fitness
 
Production Accountants                            Elmien Van Hees
Tisha Dames
Accounts Trainee                                       Tayla Whitehead
 
Auditors                                                     Connock Allan & Co.
Colleen Collins
Chrisna Broadway
Ivan Allan
John Johnson
 
Art Director                                               Sedick De Jongh
Props Master                                              David Brunton
Props Assistant                                           Sandile ‘Eddie’ Bhengu
John Moon
Cyril Ndlovu
Costume Designer                                     Vanessa Balsdon
Wardrobe                                                   Nicky Clark
Mduduzi Tanda
Machinist                                                   Pauline Mamabolo
Make-Up and Hair                                     Louiza Calore
Assistant                                                    Drake Selwe
 
Focus Pullers                                              Jacob L. Dean
Rusty Ruthven
Willem Engelbrecht
 
Data Wrangler                                             Nena Buchmann
Sound Mixer                                                President Kapa
Boom Swinger                                             Sakhumzi ‘Lucky’ Mkontwana
Stills Photographer                                       Victor Dlamini
Gaffer                                                           Peter Ledwaba
Best Boy Lighting                                        Lesiba ‘Righteous’ Makona
Sparks                                                           Lucas Nkopane
Simon Mohuba
Andrew Matlou
Generator Operator                                      David Theletsane
Key Grip                                                      Muzwakhe Mathenjwa
Assistant Grip                                             Thabang George
Jib Operator                                                 Scharl Kamfferd
Locations & Unit Manager                         Robert Kenneth Fletcher
Unit Assistant                                              Bongani Dlamini
Post Production Supervisor                         Marc Baleiza
Visual Effects                                              Helene Itzken
Zoe Misic
Apollon Ghinis
Graphics                                                      Veronica Christou
Wynand de Wet
Edwin Soobramoney
Poster Design                                               Nhlanhla ‘Lucky’ Mphuthi
Colourist                                                      Kimberley Hobbs
Title Sequence                                             Nathi Burke
Apollon Ghinis
Assistant Editor                                          Louis Greeff
Workflow Manager                                     Alan Cook
Workflow Assistant                                    Max Mthembu
Final Mix                                                    Gavin McCullough
Sound Editors                                             Rudie Botha
Kenny Van Rensburg
Red Pepper Facilities Managers                 Marius Martiz
Leonie Fourie
 
For The National Film And Video              Clarence Hamilton
Foundation                                                  Thandeka Zwana
 
For The Department Of Trade &                 Nelly Molokoane
Industry                                                        Tania Zyster
Lehlohonolo Mokhosi
Wendy Mphahlele
 
For The Gauteng Film Commission              Andile Mbeki
Desmond Mthembu
Kgomotso Tabane
Nthabeleng Phora
Puisano Phatoli
 
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA)              Corrine Lekhoane
Marumo Matlabyane
Carol Moeng
Ramathudi Monageng
Itumeleng Motsa
 
The City of Johannesburg                             Exec. Mayor Mpho Parks Tau
Monique Griffith
Busisiwe Ngwenya
 
Abseiling/Safety Riggers                               Height Safety Riggers
Fanyana Thusi
Lucky Novukuza
 
Ambulance & First Aid                                    Wayne Grips
 
Fire Department                                                Tshepo Makola
Nana Radebe
Freddy Thaver
 
Camera Trainee                                                Nonhlanhla Mahlangu
Trainee Producer                                              Godisamang Khunou
Production Trainee                                           Christine Delport
Cast Driver                                                       Zwelidumile ‘Dumi’ Ntshephe
 
2^nd Unit
 
Camera                                                              Christopher Grant Harvey
Theo Antoniou
Gerrit Van Zyl
Sound                                                                Musa Radebe
Tshepo Rameetse
Insurance                                                           CGM Insurance Brokers
Set Catering                                                      Lily Rosemary & The Jack of Arts
Team Leader                                                     Christel Wessels
Catering Assistant                                             Eugene Mafela
Craft Lady                                                         Patience Mncube
Extras Supplied By                                           Mmalo Casting
Flair Models
Ek Se Tours
SA Film Extras
Camera,Lighting & Grips Supplied By           PANALUX
PANAVISION
Red Pepper Pictures
Unit Vehicles Supplied By                               Imperial Truck Hire
The Moving Billboard Picture Company
Red Pepper Pictures
Thishiwe Ziqubu’s Costumes &
Fashion Show Garments Designed By            Craig Jacobs For ‘Fundudzi’
 
Masego ‘Maps’ Maponyane’s Coats
Designed By                                                    Mduduzi Tanda
 
 
“Lovey Dovey Lovely”
Performed by Lerato Marcia Moiloa & Nozuko Mapoma
Feat. Lerato Ntsane Lichaba (on guitar)
Composed by Lerato Marcia Moiloa
 
“Party On The Weekend”
Perfromed by DJ Switch feat. Maggz and L-Tido
Written by Maggz & L-Tido
Produced by Gangja Beatz
 
“Dance”
Performed by Zakes Bantwini and Nandi Mngoma
Composed by Zakes Bantwini and Nandi Mngoma
Produced by Zakes Bantwini
Published By Mayonie productions Sony /ATV and Nandi Mngoma Media
 
“Frigidi Frogodo”
Performed by Ade Piper
Composed by Adekunle Moradeyo a.k.a Ade Piper
Produced by XDOGGNIT
Published by Chakam Media Productions
 
“Chunky Love”
(Instrumental mix)
Performed by Isle Of Skye
Composed by Carl Von Hoesslin
 
“Nao Vale”
Performed by Atim
Written by Costuletta and Ouahid Hatim
Produced by Ouahid Hatim
Published by Aston Music
Distributed by Believe Digital
 
“Knocking”
Performed by Kyle Deutschmann and Sketchy Bongo
Written By Kyle Deutschmann
Composed by Uvir Pillay
 
“Ingoma”
Performed by Thandiswa Mazwai
Composed by Thandiswa Mazwai
Courtesy of Gallo Music Publishers @2009 and Gallo Record Company
 
“Love Song”
Performed By Kyle Deutschmann and Shekhinah Donell
Written by Kyle Deutschmann and Shekhinah Donell
Written by Kyle Deutschmann
Composed by Uvir Pillay
 
“Popyalikea”
Performed by LCNVL feat. Reason & Lakota Silva
Composed by Andrew Chaplin/Brian Chaplin/Gabrielle Maria Da Silva
A.K.A Lakota Silva/Sizwe Moeketsi A.K.A Reason
 
“Two Shades Of Love”
Performed by Themba Mkhize
Composed by Themba Mkhize
Published by Mavovo Music
 
Special Thanks
 
Robbie Brozin
Ken Verejes
Fahmeeda Cassimsurtee
Jan Du Plessis
Peter Dignan
Brenda Murphy
Anya Trotskaya
ADREACH
Paul Raleigh
Bibi Bakare Yusuf
Raymond Ndlovu
Nathan Mariemuthu
Vaughan Wickins
Dick Enthoven
Mike Auret
Slow In The City
Jonathan Meyer
Katlego Moloto
Paul Phiri
Quintin Denyssen
African Women’s Development Fund
Bisi Fayemi
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
Mandy Roger
Vaughan Wickins
Kanthan Pillay
Fatima Arnold
Leanne Morais
Hayleigh Evans
Katarina Hedren
Helen Didcott
Bankole Omotoso
Pelayo Omotoso
Yewande Omotoso
Quanita Adams
S’thandiwe Kgoroge
Terry Pheto
Kabelo & Dimakatso Mothobi
Mawela & Tshepo Mbelengwa
Ntate Solomon & Mme Flory Sebotsa
Dayo Ogunyemi
Lindiwe Matshikiza
Rueben Engels
Shoki Mokgopi
Angelo Collins
Wandi Chamane
Layla Swart
Thabi Masilo
Tamarin Visser
Rosa Witcher
Sisonke Msimang
Chaka V. Reid
Sefi Atta
Allison Forget-Deyes
Craig Freimond
Wanda Shuenyane
Thandi Brewer
James Cunningham
Tebello Motsoane
Kevin Fleischer
Khalo Matabane
Kabomo Vilakazi
Jahmil Quebeka
Naima Mclean
Sivu Nobongoza
The Bioscope Independent Cinema
Pumla Dineo Gqola
Headliner
Thandiwe January-McLean
Nozipho Bardill
Botsang Ramorwa
Thandekile Sishange
Victor Dlamini
Medi Event Ambulance Service
Siya Makwabe
James Cunningham
Nick Durandt
Patterson Park
Jane Bryce
Robert Bishop
Eran Tahor
Lindani Mnyandu
Nick Boulton
Justine Lang
Monica Rorvik
Moeneeb dalwai
Stacey Keppler
Faheema Hendricks
Bayanda Khwela
Kagisho Bapela
Amu
Greg Maloka
Lebo Mochudi
Anisa Mpungwe from LCA
Lesibane Mohale
Lizelle Sebastian
Ministry Of illusion
Propertuity
Sandton Auto BMW
Mary Elyse McDonald
Anti-Establishment
Kong
Gautrain, Sandton
 
Michelle von Allemann, Hospice Wits Bookshop
Terry Morris, Pan MacMillan
Gugu Buthelezi, Johannesburg Metro Department
Josef Talotta, Mothibedi Komoreng, South Point
Kays Mguni, Xarra Books
Winile Dlamini, Phetsile Nxumalo, Constitutional Hill
Andrew Bannister, Bannister Hotel
Lawrence Jones, Troyeville Hotel
Matthew Townsend & Eric Ncube, Canteen @ Arts on Main
 
 
Filmed on location in Johannesburg,
Gauteng, South Africa