Having a disability doesn’t mean one lacks talent is the message from Lino, a new thought-provoking film produced by the Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) and learners from the Eros special-needs school, located in Bridgetown, Athlone.

The film will premier at Ster-Kinekor cinema at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday 19 September at 16:00 and Sunday the 20th at 17:00 as part of the internationally renowned 48-Hour Festival.

BTC is a registered non-profit company (NPC), community-based arts and cultural organisation that provides free professional training in dance, drama and music while promoting the performing arts and community unity.

Over several years it conducted free dance, music and drama classes for Eros learners.

The film is the culmination of this collaboration, with about 30 children taking part and the school its locations at the school.

Theo Davids, artistic director of BTC, said the company had always set out to develop learners academically and artistically, especially those from schools with no extracurricular activities.

“Feedback from Eros telling was that learners had gained more confidence and were excelling in their schoolwork. We hope they will choose artistic field one day.”

Powerful Message

Lino aims to educate audiences and challenge their perceptions about people with disabilities, that disabled children don’t have talent and are defined by their limitations.

“Don’t look at their disability. One can overcome anything when applying one’s mind,” Davids pointed out.

Thembalethu Zwele, BTC director, said he was inspired to write the film following the death of his disabled teenaged daughter.

“I had great difficulty dealing with her death.

“In time I realised the effect of death caused trauma that is learnt. It can be unlearnt, through learning coping mechanisms. Writing and directing Lino was one of these, based as it is on my lived experience as the parent of a disabled child.”

Being part of the production was a chance for learners to showcase their abilities both on screen and behind the scenes.

Learner Voices

Intle Mhambi, star of the film, stated she could identify with the disabled character.

“As a person living with a disability I felt happy about the team making the film. I am positive the audience will experience this same joy watching it. We invested a great deal of time, labour and love into creating it, a team effort of biblical proportions.”

Saeedah Abrahams said the film showed her she shouldn’t feel sorry for herself. “I am created like this, but it doesn’t mean I lack the ability to create the best version of myself.”

Eros teacher Veronica Albertyn said the children learnt that “regardless of challenges nothing can be achieved without hope or self-belief.”

Ziona Theron, one of the BTC executives, said she hoped the film would evoke some emotion.

Tickets can be booked online via the Ster Kinekor cinema Waterfront website.

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