Director & Cinematographer
It is nearly 40 years since Kris Marais completed his military service for the apartheid government, but he is still grappling with the consequences of his conscription.
After witnessing a fellow member of his troop languishing on the streets, Kris decides to go on a journey to uncover the silenced narrative that many middle-aged men are carrying with them. He tracks down and interviews former conscripts, unveiling himself to a contradiction of emotions: anger, denial, guilt, shame, and apathy. In order to help process his own turmoil, Kris turns to poetry. He writes from his own memory and he collects anecdotes from other conscripts, creating found poetry.
A local actor and friend, Tauriq Jenkins, encourages him to overcome his self-doubt and perform the poems publicly to start a dialogue. Together with Tauriq and his partner, Kris creates a poetry show that delivers a message that many have ignored for decades. It is a story about trauma, silence, and the complex nature of complicity.
Mail & Guardian feature article: https://mg.co.za/friday/2023-10-29-trauma-silence-and-complicity/
