The Shore Break

​Winner of the Backsberg Audience Choice Award at Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 2015 for Best South African Film​.

The struggle of extremes plays out in Pondoland’s Wild Coast: an exquisite backdrop for a high-stakes saga, which casts a new light, and accompanying shadows, across the uneven landscape of our troubled country. An Australian mining company’s efforts to win over the local communities of Amadiba pits local tour-guide, Nonhle, against her opportunistic cousin in a vicious battle for the hearts and minds of their rural neighbours.

Through this nuanced drama Grunenwald deftly interweaves a parallel story of political intrigue – a plot to oust the Pondo Royal family. A lilting score by Joel Assaizky, original songs by Ntombe Thongo and evocative sand animation interspersed counterpoint the drama. As self-interest clashes with morals and ideals, simple scenarios betray a deeper subtext of subterranean problems, hidden like the contested titanium, biding their time to explode.