His Plan, a short-film from an Elsies River resident, is to take off on the big screens.
Neil Oortman says it all started as an idea during the hard lockdown in 2021.
“I got this crazy idea to write my story and then, even crazier, decided to put it into a film, out of my pocket without a steady income at the time. I grew up in Elsies River within a dysfunctional family, failed matric and wanted to commit suicide,” Oortman says.“
Oortman, who eventually matriculated in 1993 at Elswood High School and is now 48 years old, said he was exposed to a dad who was an alcoholic and a mom who had to do domestic work to keep them alive most of the time.
According to Oortman he made use of inexperienced actors in the film as leading roles.
More awareness
This is an educational film, a documentary about Oortman’s life and also to bring awareness about substance abuse and domestic violence.
The Cinecentre at Grandwest accepted their 45-minute short film and it will be premiered from 3 to 5 March, running from 18:00 at GrandWest.
The actors are from Elsies River, Parow, Belhar, Delft and Eerste River, with the youngest actor being only eight years old. Oortman says all the scenes in the film are child friendly.
“We want to invite families to come and watch the film,” Oortman says.
- Booking can be done online at: https://www.cinecentre.co.za/moviedetails_Schedule.aspx?movieid=3908&cid=0 or contact Philider Oortman on 078 696 5790 for tickets.
