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Exploring the dark allure of ‘Acts of Man’: A new African noir series
A new dawn in African noir
South African filmmakers Sheetal Magan and Sean Drummond are set to captivate audiences with their latest project, “Acts of Man,” an African noir series inspired by the true story of an occult crime unit from the final days of apartheid. This 8 x 60-minute series promises to blend psychological crime drama with supernatural thriller elements, creating a gripping narrative that delves deep into the fears and paranoias of a society in transition.
The creative minds behind the series
Sheetal Magan, known for her short film “Paraya,” which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, and Sean Drummond, the writer and producer of “Five Fingers for Marseilles,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, are the creative forces behind “Acts of Man.” The duo will serve as writers and showrunners, producing the series through Magan’s Atman Media and Drummond’s Be Phat Motel Film Co.
Joining them are Casey Walker of Toronto-based Cave Painting Pictures, veteran Canadian producer Todd Brown (“The Raid,” “Mandy”), and Naysun Alae-Carew at Blazing Griffin in the U.K., all of whom bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the project.
A tale of mystery and dread
“Acts of Man” follows two city detectives who are called to investigate a brutal ritualistic killing in the remote mountain town of Hale. The conservative community is convinced that the devil is at work, and the detectives are forced to partner with a reclusive, disgraced former South African Police Service occult investigator. As they dig deeper, they uncover shocking revelations that force both the investigators and the town to confront their demons and question whether the unfolding horrors are the work of the devil or acts of man.
The series draws on real testimonies from the South African police force’s Occult Crime Investigation Unit, which was created amid a rise in occult and unexplained phenomena at the tail end of the apartheid era. This historical context adds a layer of authenticity and intrigue to the narrative, making it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and supernatural thrillers alike.
A reflection of societal fears
Magan and Drummond’s inspiration for “Acts of Man” stems from their shared sensibilities and a desire to explore the fears, guilts, shames, and paranoias of a society still coming to terms with itself three decades after South Africa’s first democratic elections. The series taps into the zeitgeist of issues that South Africans may not want to deal with, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the country’s fractured psyche.
Magan explains, “In the ’80s, the social and political change started a wave of ‘satanic panic’ of people assuming in small-town South Africa that Black government represents the devil and danger.” This fear of the devil was actually a fear of the loss of control and the end of white minority rule. Drummond adds, “This fear of the devil is actually the fear of loss of control of the country…and [white South Africans] not being the dominant voice in the room anymore.”
A genre-bending narrative
“Acts of Man” will draw on the successful genre formula of shows like “True Detective” and “Top of the Lake” to tell an elevated police procedural that lays bare the fractured psyche of modern-day South Africa. The series will unravel questions of faith and superstition, digging into the fabric of the country to explore the traumas buried just beneath its surface.
Drummond emphasizes, “What we like to do is ask questions and pose questions to the audience. Through the lens of genre, you’re telling a story about characters that’s gripping and interesting and has layers of depth in there that, if you choose to engage with, you can get a lot out of. You can entertain people while really provoking them to question the country or the world they live in.”
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit https://trailers.movieetv.com/search/acts-of-man.
A journey into the unknown
“Acts of Man” promises to be a compelling exploration of the unknown, blending elements of crime drama and supernatural thriller to create a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. As the series delves into the fears and paranoias of a society in transition, it invites viewers to question their own beliefs and confront the demons that lurk just beneath the surface.
“Acts of Man” is not just a story about crime and the supernatural; it’s a reflection of a society grappling with its past and its future. As Magan and Drummond take us on this journey, we are left to ponder the true nature of the horrors we face and whether they are indeed the work of the devil or acts of man.
