South African director Phumi Morare’s short film “When the Sun Sets” (original title “Lakutshon’ Ilanga”) has been shortlisted for an Academy Award.
“Lakutshon’ Ilanga” is set in apartheid South Africa (1985) and follows the story of Lerato (Zikhona Bali), a young black nurse who, despite their disadvantaged background, takes care of her siblings.
And when her activist brother does not return home after school, she does everything she can to save him from an unthinkable fate in a harsh environment for people of colour.
Her fortitude shines through as she navigates a maze of upheavals, which tugs at the heartstrings as it revisits a period in South African history when violence underpinned the struggle, with the governing government determined to stay in power at any cost.
The short film has received critical acclaim at several film festivals, including a gold medal at the 2021 Student Academy Awards and the 2021 HBO Short Film Competition at the American Black Film Festival. Nominated for a Student BAFTA Award in 2021 and is currently shortlisted for an Oscar in the Live-action Short Film category.
The opening and closing credits of the short film, which also spotlight Aphiwe Mkefe (Anele), Thembekile Mathe (Khanyi), Awonke Mtonjana (Thabo), Quinne Brown (head nurse Marie), Lumkile Mkwalo (as the teacher), Morne Van Jaarsveld (as cop Jannie) and Ryan Angilly (as cop David), feature Miriam Makeba’s song “Lakutshon’ Ilang.
Morare now joins a long list of South African talent who have won or been nominated for Oscars, including Gavin Hood (“Tsotsi”), Ralph Ziman (“Jerusalem”), Jan Turner (“White Wedding”), Neill Blomkamp (“District 9”), and Craig Foster (“My Octopus Teacher”).
