Film Programme
THE TUNNEL
fiction
South Africa, 2009, 25'
Director: Jenna Cato Bass
Producer: Jenna Cato Bass
Director of photography: Jacques Koudstaal
Writer: Jenna Bass
Animation: Adrian Burger & Jenna Bass
Composer: John Turest-Swartz
Editor: Jacques de Villiers
Synopsis: Set during the 1980s in Matabeleland, The Tunnel follows young Elizabeth, nicknamed “Rabbit” because of her love of making up tall stories. When she arrives at a guerilla camp desperate for help, Elizabeth must tell her greatest story of all, a story about her village, strangers, ghosts, the day her father dug a tunnel to the city and her journey to find him. As the story unfolds, Elizabeth embarks on a quest for truth, weaving together fact and illusion. But reality is not far behind and, to save her village, Elizabeth will have to confront it.
Director: Jenna Cato Bass
South African director, Jenna Bass, was born in 1986 and has worked as a music video director, cinematographer, band photographer and magician. She has directed over ten short films and seven music videos, covering the spectrum of sci fi, experimental, comedy and historical drama. Her 25min film, The Tunnel, was selected for the Focus Features Africa First Program. The Tunnel premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010 and subsequently in competition at the Berlinale 2010.