Sofiaworx

Flower of the Partisan

A 2-D animated film using cutout and cell animation

During his decades of torture the assasin’s imaginary world is his only kindness. But as the pain mounts, his mind is no longer safe. Only joy can keep him whole, but in solitary, joy is hard to find.

Directed by Charles Badenhorst, written and produced by Catherine Sofianos, with music by Leslie Javan and starring Renos Nicos Spanoudes. The Flower of the Partisan is a short film that explores the inner life of Dimitri Tsafendas, Hendrik Verwoerd’s assassin. Verwoerd is known as the architect of apartheid, and Tsafendas’ act was a statement of political resistance. After the assassination, Tsafendas expects to be killed but instead is jailed and subject to torture. During this time he must face the futility of his act as apartheid carries on unaffected while battling to maintain his sanity. But as the pressure and pain mounts, his mind-under-siege stops being a safe place for him. After 23 years of solitary confinement and torture, Tsafendas emerges as a man who has more sanity and joy that can be imagined possible. How did he do that? “Flower of the Partisan” is a ten-minute animated short film inspired by Dimitri Tsafendas whose life teaches powerful lessons and raises important and complex debates. It uses 2D traditional animation cut out and rotoscoping, with stop motion and some live action location shots.

The Man who Killed Apartheid

A media interview with Greek journalist, Lamprini Thoma

Catherine Sofianos, Producer and Screenwriter of Flower of the Partisan was interviewed by Greek journalist Lamprini Thoma about the newly completed short film. Standing beside Tsafendas’ final resting place, she talks about why this film now …and how important it is for the times we are living in to craft alternative histories about apartheid, histories that celebrate the resistance of ordinary people to tyranny, political strong-arming and all other forms of bullying and police brutality. Not in our country. Not in our cities. Not in this world.

Would you like to screen Flower of the Partisan?

Globally and in South Africa, Dimitri Tsafendas is of increasing interest as right wing extremism, white supremacy and tyrannical leadership reasserts itself. We would be very happy to support associations, institutions and organisations who would like to screen Flower of the Partisan in support of democratic causes.

When filling out this form, please share your contact information, where you are based, when you would like to screen the film and what value screening the film may add to your work?