Film News South Africa

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

Daniel Dercksen chats to producer, director and writer Jayan Moodley about Kandasamys: The Wedding, which will be released in South African cinemas on 18 April 2019.

It’s been a few years since the Kandasamys and the Naidoos rekindled their once tainted friendship in Keeping up with the Kandasamys. They make a welcome return for the eagerly-awaited sequel Kandasamys: The Wedding, produced and directed by Jayan Moodley, from a screenplay crafted by Moodley and Rory Booth.

Kandasamys: The Wedding is an attempt to provide international audiences with a glimpse into the lifestyle and subculture of modern-day Indian South Africans; their aspirations, dreams, and challenges.

In the same way viewers get drawn into the inimitable characteristics of a Harlem or Bronx in New York, so too will Kandasamys transport them into the vibrant and colourful suburb, allowing them a first-hand authentic experience of the local nuances of Indian South African culture, especially since at the heart of the story is a big, fat Indian South African wedding.

Whilst the setting for the film is indeed unique, its theme most certainly has universal appeal. Essentially it explores how the son is emotionally torn between his love for his mother and his wife-to-be and how mothers, no matter how old their kids, want to have a very real impact and say in their children’s lives. The story comes alive as the two mothers scheme and plot, and push their agendas, ever so subtly, until an explosion becomes inevitable.

Light-hearted, and entertaining, the story is supported by an array of colourful characters that celebrate the rich way of life in Chatsworth, and serves as a reminder of the important value of the mother, aiming to bring characters to life and to take movie-making in KZN to yet another level.

It comes at a time, when the film industry in this province has finally turned the corner and will be a catalyst for economic development, whilst ensuring that local KZN talent remains in this beautiful Kingdom of the Zulu.

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

Moodley started her career as an educator with a national higher diploma in education. She completed her BSc degree majoring in mathematics and computer science thereafter.

However, she soon realised that her passion lay in the creative arts and embarked on this new journey in 2005 when she and her business partner Sideshwar Sing started African Lotus Productions. She has been involved in various projects for the SABC. Her particular interest lies within spirituality and the multi-faith concept. Some of the documentaries she has produced include The Shembes Walk to GodBuddhism – Finding the Peace Within and Ela Gandhi – the Hands that Serve. Her dream came true when she produced, co-directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie White Gold.

Moodley takes a keen interest in youth development programmes. She is currently the producer of the Hindu magazine programme Sadhana on SABC3, which is into its eighth season. She made her directorial debut with the highly successful Keeping Up With The Kandasamys. She also co-directed “The Dance”, a short film produced by Quizzical Pictures.

What inspired this eagerly-awaited sequel?

The sequel was inspired by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support for the first film. It was just the most special feeling having viewers feeling so attached to the film, so invested in the world of the story, so fond of the characters and filled with so much of enthusiasm and eagerness for another one. We did not decide there had to be a sequel.

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

Keeping Up With The Kandasamys drew thousands of patrons to cinemas nationally, and while it was a story out of Chatsworth, its universal appeal was enjoyed by the greater South African audience which was wonderful to see. Your views on this?

I think at its heart, it’s a human story with universal themes and a multi-generational appeal. The characters are relatable and identifiable. Whilst it is set in Chatsworth, interfering mothers have been around since time immemorial. I also strongly believe that the greater South African audience saw it as fresh and vibrant, new content. More importantly, it told its own story and that was that people want to laugh.

They want to watch local film. They want authenticity. We all love to have a peep into someone’s community, someone’s life, someone’s living room. The first film gave South African viewers this opportunity and they lapped it up. Whilst laughing, we learn. By learning, we can understand more about each other. With understanding, comes respect.

Can we expect the same from the sequel?

Absolutely! We have created a proudly South African film and are extremely excited that the film has attracted an audience that goes beyond race.

Kandasamys: The Wedding is described as South Africa’s very own big fat Indian wedding and everyone’s invited. Tell me more about this?

If we were going to portray an Indian wedding, it could not be small. It had to be colourful, spirited, energetic and dazzling. The thinking was that people had to leave the cinema remarking ‘Did you see the location of the wedding? Did you see the outfits? How beautiful was the ceremony?’

The ‘everyone’s invited’ tagline is a play on the Indian community that previously never heard of the ‘admit-two’ phrase – there’s always a huge pot of biryani and everyone is welcome!

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

What do you think makes Indian weddings unique?

Firstly, it’s a few days’ affair. Secondly, everyone gets involved. Thirdly, it at some point feels like a giant party! And lastly, a wedding or any event tells a story about the people and the Indian wedding in itself tells us so much about the community.

Were you inspired by other wedding films?

My favourite wedding film is undoubtedtly Monsoon Wedding by Mira Nair. I believe it’s a masterpiece in its own right and it definitely served as an inspiration for this film.

It’s also about romance, friendship and family values. Your views on this?

Only love is real. Everything else follows and finds its own place in our lives. Friendship follows from loving our friends. Family values follow from loving ourselves and being at peace with our family values. So love is the foundation for this film.

I truly want people to leave the cinema feeling some sense of love, remembering someone they have lost contact with, falling in love all over again, rekindling friendship and most importantly loving themselves.

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

Tell me about your collaboration with screenwriter Rory Booth. Was it a collaboration made in Heaven? How did it start? Were there any obstacles?

Rory Booth makes writing the best job ever. It certainly was a colouration made in Heaven. It never feels like we are writing. It just feels like two souls connecting on some level and having the best time ever. His writing skills, his creativity and his sense of humour is something to be marvelled at! I adore working with him and if I write again, my wish is to do so with him.

The film is described as not only an Indian South African story that celebrates a colourful and rich sub-culture, but also a KZN and SA story. Your views on this?

Our province claims this film and it should. We feel so proudly KZN. Durban is often seen as the poor cousin to other provinces and this film makes us all just feel somewhat satisfied. Our city looks beautiful and we get to showcase so many different locations that people now want to visit. I often say that everyone knows of a place called New York. We simply see it in so many films. We want everyone to know of a place called Durban.

How much as the local industry changed since you started working in the Industry?

There has been a major shift. It seems like we have finally turned the corner with regards to filmmaking. Just a few years ago, it was almost impossible for any person from a disadvantaged background to even dream of making a film or telling their own story. There have been many strides made, but we still have a long way to go. One step at a time, one film at a time.

Director Jayan Moodley chats Kandasamys: The Wedding

What do you hope audiences will get from watching the film?

My sincere hope is for them to appreciate each other more. Not just our family members, but just each other in general. I would love for the film to give people an opportunity to reflect. Am I a Jennifer? Am I a Shanti? It’s only upon reflection that we answer some difficult questions about ourselves and then, hopefully, make some changes. After all, we are all on this journey where we simply want to better people.

What’s next?

I honestly don’t know. I’m looking forward to resting and spending quality time with my family.

Read more about South African Filmmaking: writingstudio.co.za

About Daniel Dercksen

Daniel Dercksen has been a contributor for Lifestyle since 2012. As the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative The Writing Studio and a published film and theatre journalist of 40 years, teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa and internationally the past 22 years. Visit www.writingstudio.co.za
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