15-06-2025
Short film about tow-truck drivers ‘Vultures' shines at Cannes Film Festival
A local short film, 'Vultures', has soared to international acclaim, earning a nomination for the Short Film Palme d'Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Written and directed by Dian Weys, a research fellow at the University of the Free State, the gripping tale has captivated audiences and judges alike with its powerful storytelling, stellar performances, and striking cinematography.
A unique insight into the world of tow-truck drivers
Speaking about the inspiration behind the film, Weys told Bloemfontein Courant: 'I am interested in stories that take place after violence and thus focus on how individuals respond in the situation.'
His unique take on the world of tow-truck driving, and what happens right after a car accident, provided a gritty, grounded backdrop to explore human behaviour. The short film format was also a deliberate choice.
'It forces you to be succinct in your writing and economical in your filmmaking approach,' said Weys.
The film's narrative centres on themes of self-preservation and the increasingly transactional nature of human relationships, and Weys hopes that it will open viewers' eyes.
'I hope the short film can encourage us to reflect on our responsibilities to others, especially those who are in need of help.'
Screenplay six years in the making
Being selected for the Official Short Film Competition at Cannes was 'an absolute dream come true' for the director, who said: 'I've always wanted to present a film in Cannes, so to do so with 'Vultures' with the best producers as well as our lead actor by my side was very special.'
Creating the film was no small feat for Weys, who describes the writing process as a significant challenge.
'I wrote about twenty-five drafts of this fifteen-page screenplay over a six-year period,' he revealed.
Funding proved to be another hurdle, with all local funding applications rejected before French producers Émilie Dubois and Anaïs Bertrand secured support from France's National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image and ARTE France.
Weys' collaboration with his cast and crew was instrumental in bringing 'Vultures' to life and having worked with most of the team on previous projects, including cinematographer Pierre de Villiers and production designer Bathoni Robinson, everyone benefited from a shared creative shorthand.
The main roles, played by Edwin van der Walt, Jill Levenberg, Albert Pretorius, and Oscar Petersen, were written specifically for them, with the actors involved in the project for over five years before shooting began.
Cannes nomination opens more doors for filmmaker
Producer Le Roux Fourie, a long-time collaborator, played a pivotal role, with Vultures marking the first international co-production alongside Dubois and Bertrand.
The success of the film has already opened new doors for Weys. The film's recognition at Cannes led to an invitation to apply for the Cannes Focus COPRO' programme, which supports filmmakers developing their first feature film.
Weys' feature project, Bergies, was selected for the programme and won a writing residency in Bratislava, providing momentum for his next venture.
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