RCB Film: TOORBOS (DREAM FOREST)
Directed by Rene von Rooyen
Running time: 120 mins
Date and Time: Saturday 24 September at 4 PM
Venue: RCB Forum on 2nd floor
Watch a trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBz9unYxDkk
Tickets now available on https://www.ticketmelon.com/rivercitybangkok/rcbfilmsouthafrica
About the Film
Toorbos is based on the real-life uprooting of the last forest tribes of South Africa’s Knysna forests, in the 1930’s. It centres around Karoliena, a young forest girl who lives in poverty with her mother, but deeply loves the forest and its trees. They are forced to leave the forest, with the intention of introducing them to modernity, but she and her community resist.
Meanwhile Karoliena attracts the attention of Johannes, a successful businessman, who once belonged to the forest tribes too. He marries her, takes her away to the city, where she is trained to become a ‘lady’. But the free-spirited Karoliena flees back to the forest. The magical, mystical forest is set against the stark, cold settings of the city, where Karoliena cannot fit in. As she says- “In the forest I’m truth, in town I’m a lie.”
Even as most of her community leave the forest, and her husband enlists for the War, Karoliena clings to her beloved trees. She is literally a ‘Tree-hugger’. Even as she realizes she loves her husband; she cannot leave the forest. But the brave and strong Karoliena knows she must make a choice.
Toorbos is based on the critically acclaimed ‘Forest Novels’ of award-winning writer Dalene Matthee, about the eviction of the forest tribes from the Knysna forests, and it took Director Rene von Rooyen eight years, to develop it into a script for her film.
The film was shot in the Knysna forests, which was not easy. Another challenge was the use of the Afrikaans language in the story, which was once proudly used as their form of identity in South Africa but is hardly used now. However, it’s still one of the 11 official languages of the country, and its resurrection in this film is noteworthy. The film created waves at various festivals and was South Africa’s nomination for the Oscars in 2019.
September is Heritage Month for South Africa, which is why the South African Embassy is proud to present Toorbos, a film that deals with their heritage of forests, forest communities, and the ancient language of the country.
We thank the Embassy of South Africa for supporting the screening of the film.
The Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of South Africa, Ms Thobeka Dlamini, will introduce the film and host a Reception of South African wines and food, after the screening.
For enquiries, please contact [email protected]
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