“Give yourself time to wander in the soft light of your soul” AP

The Shaman's Apprentice recalls actress Antoinette Pienaar's magical-realist journey of transformation with the 92 year-old Griekwa 'bush doctor' Johannes Willemse.

Karoo-born, Antoinette had always wanted to uncover the secrets of this vast and mysterious landscape, seemingly barren, yet teeming with life. It took a life-threatening illness to meet the herbalist who was to become her teacher. As it happens, 'bossie doktor' Johannes Willemse had seen her arrival in a dream some thirty years before...

In this lyrical, pertinent film Antoinette Pienaar speaks a universal language and connects on an almost primordial level. She tells of her recovery and growing awareness of nature, guided patiently by her mentor's firm hand and gentle humour.

At 92, Oom Johannes Willemse of Beaufort Wes is seen as a ‘living library’ of the oral tradition of Griqua cosmology and medicine. This ‘bossie-dokter’ makes a living serving the local district’s communities as a healer, while, in his spare time, he hunts with a pack of dogs for that good rabbit stew the Karoo is well-know for. Antoinette Pienaar (45), former actress, singer and radio presenter, has been apprenticed to Oom Johannes for the past six years. They live in the mountains just outside the town at an old ‘veepos’ (sheep station) without electricity or running water. Living in the traditional ways requires them to live closely with the elements.

This film is directed by Catherine Winter, filmed by Christopher Wessels and Catherine Winter, and edited by Tonia Selley.

Producer/Director Catherine Winter's work is noted for her innovative, evocative style and her capacity to bring out deeply personal stories within social, individual and educational contexts. She is committed to authentic storytelling, whether through shooting from the heart or through her careful juxtaposition of found footage (My African Mother, 2000, which was awarded the Avante, best documentary, as well as two craft awards for editing and sound).

"This film, as a very challenging concept, had been brewing for some time. The call for proposals by Mafisa provided an ideal platform for an archetypal narrative." says Catherine. "By this time I had formed a smooth working collaboration with Antoinette and Oom Johannes, and had started shooting. They seemed the ideal narrators to reflect an increasingly common South African experience - that of western initiation into traditional African mysticism, healing and spiritual technology."

Editor Tonia Selley and director Catherine Winter have a working relationship dating back to 1998, when Tonia directed Dead Men Don't Tour, a documentary about the first Rodrigues tour of South Africa. They have a rare and effortless working relationship which draws on each others strengths as storytellers. Tonia, who is also a musician, has edited many productions; from documentaries (Hot Wax, I Will Not Go Gently, 5 Planets, The Man Who Knew Too Much) to drama series (Bubomsana, Sorted - Series 1 and 2). Last year she was nominated for a Safta for Best Editor - Comedy for her work on Sorted.

Catherine first saw Christopher Wessels' work in post production on the feature The Search for a South African Husband, which Tonia was editing at the time. "I loved the way he effortlessly paints with light while framing his subject with a classic cinamatographers' eye." she says. Christopher holds a Bachelors of Arts (motion picture medium) from the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. His graduation project, the short film Ongeriewe, was nominated for a Palm d’Or at the 2006 Festival de Cannes.

CHARACTER PROFILE

Karoo-born actress Antionette Pienaar had always wanted to uncover the secrets of this vast and mysteriouzs landscape, seemingly barren, yet teeming with life. It took a life-threatening illness to meet the herbalist who was to become her teacher. As it happens, ‘bossie doktor’ Johannes Willemse had seen her arrival in a dream some thirty years before.

In this lyrical, pertinent film Pienaar speaks a universal language and connects on an almost primordial level. She tells of her recovery and growing awareness of nature, guided patiently by her mentor’s firm hand and gentle humour.

Antoinette Pienaar (47)
Afrikaans actress Antoinette Pienaar was born in Beaufort West and studied drama at both Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town. She started her acting career in Shakespearean productions and went on to become an accomplished singer, writer and storyteller, performing her gentle satires at the Grahamstown and Oudshoorn Festivals and other national theaters.

Johannes Willemse (92)
Oom Johannes ‘Tikkie” Willemse has spent his life working on Karoo farms, while plying his trade as ‘bossie doktor’ or herbalist. He knows the veldt and its creatures like the back of his hand. He is retired and is currently passing on his knowledge to Antoinette so that he may have some peace.

Catherine Winter has been a journalist, writer and photographer for the past twenty-four years. She has produced and directed several documentaries and short films since 1994, as well as working as concept and script-writer, camera person, and editor on various audio-visual projects.

In 1994 she established See Here Media. Production highlights include Ntwakgolo ke ya Molomo (1996), a twenty-six minute edutainment documentary exploring the generation gap in the urban context of the crime tradition in Gauteng townships. Her ABED adult education readers from the same year are currently prescribed at the University of the Witwatersrand Applied Linguistics department.

In 2000 Catherine was awarded the Avante, best documentary, for her innovative and visionary educational documentary, My African Mother (etv 1999), which she conceptualised, researched, scripted, directed and co-produced in association with m&gTV and which was screened at several local and international festivals.

Catherine’s work is noted for her innovative, lyrical style and her capacity to bring out both a human and healing element in issue-based journalism and educational material

Radio Sonder Grense - Amore Bekker show "Tjailatyd" - www.rsg.co.za
See Here Production - www.seehere.co.za
Antoinette's Website - www.kruiekraaikoning.co.za

Contact Information:

Antionette Pienaar (0234161659)