The nine-part series, co-directed by local creators Juvai Dunn, Menzi Mzimela, and Kgosana Monchusi, sheds light on the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
Mlotshwa’s “Four Walls” tell the heartbreaking story of Grace, a well-educated woman trapped In an abusive marriage.
When Grace finally decides to end her husband’s life, her home is invaded by two thugs on the run from a failed cash-in-transit robbery, who kidnap her.
Mlotshwa, a gender-based violence activist, told IOL Entertainment that preparing for and walking in Grace’s shoes was not difficult for her.
“Almost every single day a South African woman suffers some form of abuse,” said Mlotshwa.
“So this is me telling the stories of the women I’ve spoken to, through the Enhle Cares Foundation.
“I took from all of those women’s experiences and tried as best as I can to create a story that’s truthful, a story that represents women who are going through the most concerning GBV,” she said.
Grace, according to Mlotshwa, is a true representation of what happens in South Africa on a daily basis.
She played herself, her mother, grandmother, neighbours, and even Uyinene “Nene” Mrwetyana, who was killed at the post office, to bring her character to life.
“And all the other girls and women who were brutally murdered…I took all of those stories and encompassed them into one so that people can watch and be uncomfortable, but in the discomfort, understand the pain of someone who’s experiencing any form of gender-based violence, whether it be financial, physical, emotional, or mental,” she said.
Mlotshwa wanted viewers to understand that abuse is serious, and she wanted it to be openly addressed so that it becomes a reality rather than a hashtag.
Mlotshwa believes Grace’s story will resonate with audiences all over the world because it addresses universal themes such as crime and human rights violation.
“Four Walls” star Khulu Skenjana, Gift Leotlela, Jeff Jackson, and Isreal, and is set to premier at the North East Film (NEIFF) and Buenos Aires International Web Series (BUEIFF) Festivals in November 2022 and June 2021 respectively.
“This is a cast full of performers and we all take our craft seriously. We all take storytelling seriously. And we did exactly that with this story.
“I think people would enjoy the realness we brought to the characters. We were hungry, we felt like first-time performers, and the love of creating and bringing to life those characters will be felt by the viewers. The story draws you in,” she said.
Executive producer Dunn elaborated on the project, stating, ’Four Walls’ is a personal story told within a new and exciting format. This is the first part of an exciting slate of our scripted content and we can’t wait to share the series with audiences when it is completed.”
Co-director Mzimela added, “We wanted to make an interesting story about South African socio-political issues.
“So we gravitated towards gender-based violence and cash-in-transit heists because both are very common in this country.”
Mzimela told IOL Entertainment that the series will be shown at major international film festivals for a month before it is released in South Africa.
“This is an opportunity to show the world a South African story that transcends language and circumstances. The festival run is important so that we can get global recognition and showcase our South African talent,” added Mzimela.
Meanwhile, Mlotshwa announced the establishment of a bursary fund for GBV victims and survivors through her Enhle Care Foundation.
“As women, we are on our own. I feel like no one is assisting women in fighting GBV, including the public. Victims are often victim-shamed for being abused.
“The one thing that keeps women going back to their abusers is not having financial independence.
“So I thought, little by little I’ll just keep getting bursaries for these women, educate them so they can create their own source of financial independence,” she said.
Main Image: Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa/ News24
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