Zack Mtombeni has come a long way since he graduated from PALI in 2016. Not only is he a professional Actor, but also a successful Writer, Producer and now Director. His debut feature film, Pheletso, will premiere at this year’s Joburg Film Festival. We checked in with Zack to find out what the experience was like.
You recently made your directorial debut with the feature film Pheletso, which will be screening at the Joburg Film Festival this month. What was the experience like?
Words cannot describe my gratitude for this project. I'm truly honoured to have worked with some of the best names in our industry. The opportunity to work with JFF, Showmax and Urban Brew through our company, The Third Law is a dream come true. However my team at the The Third Law (Lara Lourens and Kaz McFadden) and the Urban Brew squad were my support structure and they challenged me in every way and gave me the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and grow as a Director. Being the least experienced among the greats, my imposter syndrome was obviously going crazy! But somehow, deep down, I felt like this was one of those projects that God has been preparing me for my whole life. So I was ready to take on the world. We hope the audience enjoys the film as much as we did making it.
When and how did you realise you would like to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
I've always had an active imagination as a kid which stayed with me into adulthood. In a way it saved my life, because I could always envision or pretend to be these characters I looked up to, which contrasted my chaotic environment at the time. Being in the entertainment industry never crossed my mind growing up, this was one of those things I stumbled upon after finishing matric.
What is your favourite memory of your time at PALI? What was your favourite student production?
Honestly, I went through a bit of a wild phase as a student at PALI, which was awesome, with late night parties, early morning rehearsals with fellow students and numerous memorable productions that left my stomach in a knot because we went out the night before and you had to know your lines. My mentor, the late Shareen Swart, always said "Work hard, play even harder" and we did.So Total cliché... I fully enjoyed my time as a student at PALI. However, since I have to choose one... it was a sight specific production of Shakespeare’s TheTaming of the Shrew we did at a festival, where no one had a clue we were acting until later. The show was between the audience and they were very unpredictable and we often had to think on our feet because they really thought we were having a heated argument.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Before pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, do your homework - count the cost of what you are willing to accept or not accept. If the cost is too much... get out. This industry will totally devour you if you let it. Look after yourself and know that you need something to believe in, something that will help you feel recharged when it when you feel depleted... I chose Jesus and I keep choosing Him every day. So choose what will help you in your time of need and embrace it with its entirety. Don't back down even for a second. As much as it is about passion, it's still a business - so get what you think you are worth and when you are accepting less, know why. Last but not least "Respect never goes out of fashion".
Pheletso will screen at the Joburg FilmFestival on the 16th of March and is scheduled for release on Showmax on the 18th of April.
