Variations on a Theme

Drama

South Africa

Variations on a Theme follows Ouma Hettie, an elderly goat herder in Namaqualand, whose life is defined by constant waiting. Haunted by memories of her father—a man who returned from service in WWII with little more than a bicycle as payment—Ouma Hettie witnesses echoes of the past in her community›s continued struggle with poverty and broken promises.

INTENTION NOTE : Variations on a Theme portrays Ouma Hettie’s daily life in Kharkams through an observational lens, blending reality with fiction. Ouma Hettie’s journey reflects her father’s unacknowledged legacy and her community’s unresolved grief. It explores themes of memory and fragmentation in old age.

Directors : JASON JACOBS & DEVON DELMAR

Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar produce various projects under the collective KRAAL, a South African production company rooted in the Kamiesberg region of South Africa. The duo’s acclaimed projects include the feature film Carissa, which was an official selection in the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice Film Festival, premiering in September 2024

Producers : ANNEMARE DU PLESSIS & MIRA MENDEL

Annemarie du Plessis is a producer on Carissa. She is an award-winning producer who, through her work, is constantly seeking to create engaging experiences for audiences. Mira Mendel is the CEO of Interakt, an award-winning Dutch production company based in Amsterdam. Mira’s involvement in international co-productions reflects her commitment to impactful storytelling.