Heart Rot

Psychological Thriller, 2025

FILM PRODUCTION DETAILS

Graduation Festival
AFDA Study Year: Honours
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Running Time: 24
Rating: V
Viewing Restriction: 16

In the depths of Stillkrans Forest, ancient whispers prey on the guilty, feeding on unspoken shame until it festers like heart rot—gnawing away forgiveness and devouring the soul. In 1998 South Africa, amid apartheid's lingering wounds, young Aspen witnesses his mother's hidden Xhosa heritage clash with his abusive Afrikaans father's control. When a tragic act of violence shatters their home, Aspen descends into psychosis, haunted by spectral demands for confession. As family secrets unravel in a devastating revelation, what festers will surface. Will Aspen escape the rot, or let the woods claim him forever? Heart Rot is a gripping psychological folk-thriller exploring faith's dark distortions and guilt's unrelenting grip. Tread softly—the forest never forgets.

CAST

Aspen - Amile Nkota
Lily/Nolothando - Tshepiso Wedney Modise
Hendrick - Stefan Van Der Vegte
Dominee - Matthew Greenberg
Kuhle - Busisiwe Tusani
Mev. Van Der Merve - Anmari Theron

CREW

Writer - Charleigh Norma Kotton
Director - Tristan Sharp, Zukani Jiba
Executive Producer - Catherine Liebenberg
Associate Producer - Paradise Cinema
Assitant Producer - Tumelo Ewe Ramamphakela
Cinematographer - Gemma Mantle
Production Designer - Elizabeth-Ann Oratile Fosu, Owami Ngubane
Costume, Make-up and Styling - Amandla Xintolo, Britney Saulse
Editor - Sesihle Mathimba
Sound Design - Wonga Mapumulo
Composer - Aphelele Ngcobo
Visual Effects - Inshirah Aubdool
Data Wrangler - Ajay Kala
Colourist/Grader - Sivuyisile Mahlaba

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