Since Canon first stepped onto African soil, it’s changed lives and turned dreams into realities. Its continuous investment into the local film industry is enabling homegrown film houses to reimagine the way stories are told and has the potential to inspire millions more.
One such success story is the partnership with Bakwena Productions on Ingoma the Song, where Canon South Africa loaned the cameras and lenses that were used to bring the production to life. Ingoma The Song was shot solely on Canon film equipment and is now streaming on Netflix.
In a recent interview with Ingoma the Song director Kagiso Modupe, we uncovered the inspiration behind the story and discovered how Canon helped bring it to screens.
More about the film and the mind behind it
As an award-winning actor, film director, and producer, Kagiso is no stranger to the silver screen. In Losing Lerato and Thando, he touched on authentic African stories that he felt needed to be told; stories that teach a lesson and have the potential to alter people’s lives. Ingoma The Song is no different, drawing on inspiration from the lessons his father taught him from a young age. That’s why this latest film looks at instilling good values in boys.
“Working as an actor, I would often feel frustrated by film narratives because it felt like writers didn’t tell authentic stories that touched on hard-hitting truths. My job was to just act it out, but now I can tell the stories I want to and control what’s distributed to viewers. We have a responsibility to share and educate people about our stories. I choose to instil something positive and not focus on the negative,” explains Modupe.
Originally from KwaThema in Gauteng, his intention to inspire has always been reflected in the preferred locations of his films, choosing townships he once lived in to complement his narratives. As a child, he became interested in the art of filmmaking after a film crew came to the area where he lived. Now, he wants to be the inspiration for other kids to follow their dreams too.
Filming Ingoma the Song
Thanks to a team of professional actors and an all-female camera crew, the independent film house was able to capture the emotion Kagiso imagined. Filmed over 10 days, Ingoma the Song was beautifully captured on the Canon EOS C300 Mark III and Canon EF 50mm lens. Trying to film as much as possible in a short time, Kagiso mentions how much the Canon gear helped when scenes ran over into nighttime.
“The camera controls the lighting for you, which means you’re spending less money on artificial lights. When it started to get dark, the lens would just open up, allowing more light to come in. This was especially useful in winter when the sun went down at 17h30 and we were still able to shoot until 18h30, just like it was daytime,” Kagiso adds.
What this means for independent filmmakers
Canon South Africa is in a position to support directors of photography and filmmakers with gear loans for advanced and technical film productions. Combined with a powerful story, a solid launch plan, and support from a distributor, this offers local creators a way to gain footing in the film industry.
“Many top streaming platforms want more local content. Now’s the best time for our talented South African filmmakers to jump on the boat and get sailing. Budget constraints are always a challenge, but networking with the right brand, and having an open mind about how to create content go a long way,” says Gerald Langton, Business Development Manager for ITCG Retail Sales at Canon South Africa.
Canon’s cinema cameras have been used in massive feature films, documentaries, and reality shows globally. The brand’s cameras are world-renowned for their ability to produce impeccable footage.
“We’re proud that Canon cameras get Netflix’s seal of approval, and we’re proud that we can encourage and grow the local filmmaking industry. Our partnerships with the Gauteng Film Commission and National Film and Video Foundation help local filmmakers produce high-quality films with our top-of-the-range cinema gear,” Langton concludes.
Canon’s investment in the local film industry is evident in the way they support up-and-coming filmmakers. Ingoma the Song might be the first film in South Africa to be shot entirely on Canon-loaned camera equipment, but it certainly won’t be the last.
