8/17/2019 Anant Singh Responding to Sarah Dawson

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Anant Singh responding to Sarah Dawson’s Open Letter 

regarding her departure from the Durban International Film Festival

I am currently at the Cannes Film Festival and have just been made aware of Sarah Dawson’s open

letter in which she outlines the reason behind her resignation which largely deals with the issuessurrounding the selection of SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS as the opening night film. As filmmakers

we are very proud of the film we created about a story that originated in Durban. We are equally

proud of the fact that it was celebrated at the Berlin Film Festival.

I was very surprised by the flurry correspondence and social media activity that emerged, and up to

now, had elected not to engage in the debate as we are purely focused on the ability to make films

and achieve excellence in filmmaking.

I would like to add that I have never met, nor have I spoken with Sarah Dawson over the selection

process, and neither did I engage with the university executive on the matter. In my 30-year

association with DIFF, I have always respected their decisions and never at any time tried to bring myinfluence to bear. I feel that it is important to share with everybody the actual correspondence that

exchanged between us (attached hereto) in the interests of transparency and the fact that Sarah has

gone public with inaccurate assertions and information.

I have had films in the official selections of almost every major film festival in the world. In each

instance I have tried to get the best for our films, but the circumstances around this particular

process has been exceptionally unique and complex, and quite unexpected.

I outline a few points which I think are relevant to this matter:

1.  Whilst Sarah commended the film, she indicated that she was concerned about “the qualitativeexperience of our guests, some of whom are compelled to be there, and who might find the

material difficult ”.  For me, it did not make sense. The Durban International Film Festival has in

the past opened with films that are far more graphic and controversial and, importantly, all

these films had artistic merit. We have had films there like ONCE WERE WARRIORS, that dealt

with issues of family violence, rape etc. which was extremely well received. Obviously, everyone

is aware that I am the producer of SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS and, as with any filmmaker, I

want to try to do what is best for the film.

2.  The process in trying to secure the opening night slot, was one that began with us screening the

film on 11 March 2016, and I was quite surprised that after Sarah and a colleague watched the

film, we received the response which is included in the trail of the correspondence attached.

I felt it insulting to the creative process and our ability to tell stories, and found this view stifling,

which was unexpected, especially from the film festival. Films featured in festivals are supposed

to be thought provoking and challenge boundaries. The film was already in the process of being

rated and a few weeks after Sarah watched the film, we were informed that it received a rating

of 16V, which we thought would be a factor that would make the film eligible for the opening

night. This added to my disappointment.

3.  I felt compelled to write to Sarah to express my views and disappointment and solicit a response

as to the process followed and the rationale behind her decision. This, I copied to her colleagues

at the University. At no point did I ask, or force the action, to secure the opening night, this is aposition that every filmmaker desires but should remain at arm’s length in the selection process. 

8/17/2019 Anant Singh Responding to Sarah Dawson

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4.  As part of our offer to the Durban International Film Festival this year, we proposed a special

screening of SARAFINA! as the Festival opens on 16 June which will mark the 40th

 Anniversary of

the Soweto Uprising. We felt that as the film is based on this historic event in our history, it

would be a good opportunity for the Festival to commemorate this important occasion. We

were advised that there may not be a place in the programme for this film.

I considered the withdrawal of SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS from the Festival due the mire of

controversy, but believe that it would be counterproductive, and unfair to the team involved in the

production.

As the selection process for the opening night position is vehemently opposed and has become

controversial, I propose a fair process be adopted where an independent group of 5 or 6 people be

formed to view all of the films under consideration for the opening night slot, and have a fully

transparent process and whatever decision results, we should all accept.

I understand that every filmmaker may feel a sense of entitlement to that prestigious position butonly one film can prevail.

Lastly, I feel that I have been unfairly treated in the assumption that I enforced undue influence over

the university executive, and I am now being blamed for this situation which could have been

avoided.

This correspondence takes the position of an open letter and sets out our side of the story for clarity.

 Anant Singh

13 May 2016