Experimental Festival
AFDA Study Year: 3rd year
Genre: Suspense Drama and Psychological Horror
Running Time: 9
Rating: V
Viewing Restriction: 13
‘The Art of Dying’ follows Jester, a performer whose identity has fractured under the pressure of constant emotional performance. Haunted by the image of a burning house, she is forced to confront the origin of her survival instinct. As the circus tightens its grip around Jester, she encounters Red Jill, a distorted reflection of herself who represents what happens when the cycle is never broken. Guided by the Rabbit, a recurring presence embodying instinct and escape, and shadowed by two miniature rabbits representing fear and hope, Jester must decide whether to remain safely trapped within this performance or step beyond it. The film explores generational trauma, identity fragmentation, and the cost of surviving competitive entertainment systems that demand constant self-sacrifice.
Jester - Phumla Raphiri
White Rabbit - Téja Joubert
Ringmaster - Lindokuhle Majola
Red Jill - Phumla Raphiri
Writer - Sarah Browning
Director - Sarah Browning & Jennifer Tavengwa
Executive Producer - Kyle Harper & Jesse Eshelby
Associate Producer - Jesse Eshelby
Associate Producer - Kyle Harper
Cinematographer - Taylin Thomas & J Marsden
Production Designer - Alyssa van Wyk
Costume, Make-up and Styling - Milla Nel
Editor - Azeem Rostom
Sound Design - Kaitlin Govender
Composer - Aeryn Southwood
Visual Effects - Azeem Rostom
Data Wrangler - Kathryn Odendaal & Corbin Blaine Pretorius
Colourist/Grader - Kathryn Odendaal & Corbin Blaine Pretorius