Toorbos

{{Infobox film

| name = Toorbos

| image = Toorbos poster.jpg

| caption = Film poster

| director = Rene van Rooyen

| producer =

| writer =

| starring = Sean Brebnor

| cinematography =

| editing =

| studio =

| distributor =

| released = {{film date|2019|8|24|df=yes}}

| runtime = 120 minutes

| country = South Africa

| language = Afrikaans

}}

Toorbos is a 2019 South African drama film directed by Rene van Rooyen about a young woman's conflict between her ideals and those of her husband.{{cite web|url=https://ladima.africa/director-rene-van-rooyen-on-adapting-dalene-matthees-critically-acclaimed-novel-toorbos-for-the-big-screen/ |title=Director Rene van Rooyen on adapting Dalene Matthee's critically-acclaimed novel, Toorbos, for the big screen |work=Ladima Foundation |access-date=17 November 2020}}

Plot

Set in the 1930s before the outbreak of World War II, in the time of the final forest dwellers of the incredible Knysna forest.{{Cite web |title=Toorbos Film {{!}} The Film Factory Film Company in South Africa |url=https://thefilmfactory.co.za/toorbos-film/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Film Factory |language=en-US}} The film tells the story of Karoliena, a young woman who is born into a poverty stricken community of poor subsistence farmers and foresters. Karoliena quickly attracts the attention of Johannes, a successful businessman from town who promises to take her away from her impoverished existence. Enchanted by him and the prospects of his life, she agrees to go to Knysna where she’s trained to become a respected lady.{{Cite web |title=Toorbos Film {{!}} The Film Factory Film Company in South Africa |url=https://thefilmfactory.co.za/toorbos-film/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Film Factory |language=en-US}} She begins to adapt to his way of life, including being subservient to her husband. She soon chafes in this role as she begins to notice the differences between the forest she grew up in and the new town she's moved to with her husband. To Karoliena the forest is magical, mythical and spiritual, where the town is centered around a selfish desire for money. When Karoliena realizes that she has exchanged her precious freedom for a cage, it’s too late, and she’s petrified.{{Cite web |title=Toorbos Film {{!}} The Film Factory Film Company in South Africa |url=https://thefilmfactory.co.za/toorbos-film/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Film Factory |language=en-US}} Her discomfort increases when she learns of her husband's disregard for the forest from which she came.

Cast

Sean Brebnor as Faan Mankvoet
Elani Dekker as Karoliena Kapp
Stiaan Smith as Johannes Stander
Lida Botha as Elmiena
Ira Blanckenberg as Meliena
Andre Odendaal as Cornelius
Ivan Abrahams as Bothatjie
Gretchen Ramsden as Hestertjie

Production

Production took place in mid 2018, in Knysna forest.{{Cite web |title=Toorbos set for release |url=https://showme.co.za/knysna/news/toorbos-set-for-release/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=ShowMe™ - Knysna |language=en-US}}

Release

The film was released on 13 November 2020, South Africa.{{Cite web |title=Toorbos set for release |url=https://showme.co.za/knysna/news/toorbos-set-for-release/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=ShowMe™ - Knysna |language=en-US}}

Reception

The film was selected as the South African entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.{{cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=Toorbos to be SA's entry for the 93rd Academy Awards |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/news/toorbos-to-be-sas-entry-for-the-93rd-academy-awards-20201117 |access-date=17 November 2020 |work=Channel24}}

References

External links

{{IMDb title|9253672|Toorbos}}

{{South African submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film}}

Category:2019 films

Category:2019 drama films

Category:South African drama films

Category:Afrikaans-language films

Category:2010s South African films