He might come from the small community of Kleinskool in Gqeberha, but there’s certainly nothing small about local filmmaker Ruhaan Booy-sen’s goals!
He describes his younger self as a kind and sweet child, who always respected adults.
“I can still remember so well how my mother would beat me up when I did something wrong,” he chuckled.
For as long as he remembers, Booy-sen has always been interested in the film industry.
“My dream has always been to change people’s lives through film. I use themes that happen daily in people’s lives, so that every family can personally relate, or even know of someone who is going through whatever story is being told. I was always inspired by watching local and international movies. I loved watching documentaries about how movies are made, and in 2013 I decided to make the first film – my passion for filmmaking then grew over the years,” Booysen shared.
In 2020, the 25-year-old started his photography business to finance his production company, Ruhaan Booysen Productions.
Ten years ago Booysen’s father, Leslie, gave his son a tool that would change the trajectory of his life.
“I made my first ever movie with a camera my father borrowed from a friend; he’s always been so supportive, and that fuels my passion. My mother Desiree passed away on October 10 this year, but she was also always so supportive of my dreams,” he fondly recalled.
Although Booysen’s place of comfort is behind the camera, he also works as a line supplier at Isuzu Motors South Africa. Some of his proudest achievements are growing his social media platforms to 53 000 followers, and 12 000 subscribers on YouTube. His most viral short film on Facebook, As ek maar geluister het, boasts a whopping 100 000 views in just five hours.
In future, Booysen hopes to travel the world and shoot movies in different countries.
“Believe in yourself, work hard and stay consistent. With hard work and consistency everything is possible,” is what he would say speaking with his younger self.
