ekstasis
The 35 minute film uses the landscape of multilingualism in South Africa, the Afrikaner culture and LGBTQIA+ bodies to question the moments of existing in between these spaces and borders created within society. Both Badenhorst and Viljoen created this film as they wanted to explore the navigation of the young, female body in relation to identity and how this then navigates the familiarity felt and found in others.
ekstasis is an exploration of a young woman that discovers love and intimacy, and the loss thereof, through a blossoming relationship with her best friend and the dissipation of her parents’ marriage.
Official Selections
Shnit International Short Film Festival (2020)
Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) (2020; Semi-Finalists)
Berlin Lift-Off Festival (2021)
One People International Film Festival
Toronto International Women Film Festival
Rapid Lion - The South African International Festival
Big Apple Film Festival (Spring Edition)
OUTshine Film Festival
New Renaissance Film Festival (Winner; Best Director)
WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
Toyota US Woordfees TV
Jozi Film Festival
Creative Team
Directed by Emilie Petra Badenhorst and Kanya Viljoen
Written by Emilie Petra Badenhorst and Kanya Viljoen
Produced by Unusual Bones., Cream, Couscous
Executive Producer Brandon Blight, Kim Geldenhuys, Jo Barber and Salim El Arja
Director of Photography Jason Prins
Cast: Mariana Del Carmen, Inez Robertson, Grant Swanby, Ilse van Niekerk and Andahr Cotton