Cape filmmakers show debut feature movie at Cannes

Cape Town filmmakers Shane and Bianca (Schmitz) Vermooten attended the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in France, where the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) included the Media Village Productions film Bypass in their catalogue of South African movies.

Over the past few years Shane has won numerous international awards for his short films. Bypass was Shane’s feature film directing debut. Bypass, is a medical thriller that exposes the global issue of organ trafficking.

Shane and Bianca are a talented young couple who are passionately involved in telling stories that don’t only entertain but also highlight issues of social concern. They believe that as South Africans we need to concentrate on telling our own unique stories and to develop a South African aesthetic.

While all the crew were professionals, each head of department was shadowed by students from Media Village Training’s – Digital Film School. Bypass gave students the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience working on a movie set before completing their studies in the classroom. Founded in the early 90s Media Village provides training in film making and Christian discipleship.

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Bypass, shot in Cape Town in October 2015 explores the reality and complexity of ethical decisions that need to be made when Dr Lisa Cooper, a renowned cardiac surgeon realises that in order to save her son, Sam’s life she must turn her back on the medical system that she has been part of for so many years. Once in a foreign African country and behind the derelict walls of a compound she finds herself caught in a web of international organ trafficking. When Sam is used as ransom and Lisa is forced to do illegal organ transplants for wealthy clients, she faces the stark reality that in the underground world of trafficking, some lives have more value than others.

The international cast includes Natalie Becker, Haekeem Kae-Kazim, Greg Kriek and Deon Lotz, making this a movie not to be missed. More about the film can be seen at www.bypassmovie.com

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