KENNETH KAPLAN
-
writer . producer . director -
Kenneth
Kaplan has made a name for himself in South Africa as a filmmaker who
confronts the current issues facing his country. For over ten years, he
has been making critically acclaimed dramas and documentaries. He received
his B.A. with Honours from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg
and garnered the award for Best Screenplay for the South African Script
Writers Association. He went on to complete his M.F.A. in filmmaking at
New York University where he was a recipient of the Paulette Godard Scholarship
for his commitment to "socially responsible filmmaking." For
the last two years he worked with South Africa's leading independent producer,
Anant Singh, supervising post-production and delivery on a number of feature
films including, CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY (Miramax) and Jackie Chan's
POLICE STORY I & II (New Line Cinema). Most recently Kenneth has handled
the creative development on the international version of Tsui Hark's BLACK
MASK, distributed worldwide by Alliance Le Monde.
Kenneth is now producing
and directing his first feature film, PURE BLOOD. Set entirely in South
Africa, it will be filmed on location in Johannesburg early in 1999.
FILMOGRAPHY
THE LIVING UNIVERSE (1998) Director
Youth Educational Drama Series - 3 Episodes
Produced by Free Filmmakers for SABC
LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (1998) Producer, Director
Video Campaign - Cannes & International Media Launch for
Anant Singh's Feature Film based on Nelson Mandela Biography.
THE PRISON LIBRARIAN (1996) Director, Writer
Documentary on Ahmed Kathrada, the youngest of the Treason Trialists
sentenced to life imprisonment with Mandela.
Produced for SABC for a 5 part-series on prominent South Africans.
PRISONERS OF HOPE (1995) Co-Director, Associate Producer
Documentary set around a reunion of ex-political prisoners led by
Nelson Mandela and held on Robben Island.
Produced for international television
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHRIS HANI (1994) Director, Writer, Editor
Documentary chronicling the life of the assassinated ANC Leader.
Produced for international television in association with SABC
COUNTDOWN TO FREEDOM (1994) Segment Producer, Editor
Feature documentary made at Mandela's personal invitation during the
first ever democratic elections in South Africa.
Invitation screening hosted by The Academy of Motion Pictures.
THE CHILDREN & I (1993) Director
Drama about a lift operator's life of disarray and murder
M-NET New Directions Series patronned by David Puttnam
Stars award-winning actor Winston Ntshona
(A DRY WHITE SEASON, GHANDI, DOGS OF WAR)
SOWETO TO HOLLYWOOD ... AND BACK (1992) Director, Co-Editor
Documentary on the making of SARAFINA! THE MOVIE
THE WHOOPI GOLDBERG SHOW (1992) Director
Weekly talk show hosted by Whoopi Goldberg
Featured guests: Nelson Mandela, Chief Bhutulezi and Helen Suzman
FIGHTING FOR CHANGE (1991) Co-Director
Documentary exploring the issues of women's rights in South Africa for
the Carnegie Foundation
MANDELA IN AMERICA (1990) Co-Director
Documentary about Mandela's first trip to the US
MANDELA FREE AT LAST (1990) Segment Producer
Documentary about Mandela's release from prison
SOUTH AFRICA NOW (1989-91) Field Producer
Emmy Award-winning weekly newsmagazine carried on CNN
George Polk Award (1991) Emmy Award (1991)
THE BURDEN (1988) Director, Writer, Producer
Drama based on a short story about a black taxi driver
Starring Thomas Mogotlane (MAPANTSULA)
Post-production grant from Columbia Pictures, Inc.
Festival: Best Director/Best Actor Awards - New York First Run Film Festival, Blacklight (Chicago), Berlin Film Festival, Edinburgh Arts Festival, Cinema Under Siege (Amsterdam)
THE HIDDEN FARMS (1986) Director, Writer
Drama based on a collection of short stories about black convict labour
on white farms
Banned under the State of Emergency laws
Festivals: Blacklight (Chicago), Vues D'Afrique (Montreal), Cinema under Siege (Amsterdam), and Cinema Municipale (Paris)
THEATRE OF OPPRESSION (1985) Director
Documentary about anti-apartheid theatre in South Africa
Broadcast
on American PBS
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