The Encounter
Writer/Director: Angela Matemotja
Producer: Dele Ogundiran
Cinematographer: Kenneth Yeung
Editor: Craig Nisker
Synopsis:
A young white woman on her spiritual quest gets stuck in an elevator with an older African man.
Though the residue of apartheid still remains, does he hold the key to her finding inner peace?
Web Site: http://www.matemotjaproductions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=28
Biographies:
Angela Matemotja, Writer/Director
Having been born in Russia into a bi-cultural family, Angela’s view of the world was never quite “ordinary”. Her black South African Father was affiliated with the political arm of the ANC, which led him abroad to study in the former U.S.S.R. In Kiev is where he met and married Angela’s mother, a Russian woman whose family settled there after the war. Kiev is also Angela's birthplace, although she now holds USA and South African passports.
As a consequence of her Father having to live in exile, by the time Angela Danielovna was eight years old, she had lived in Russia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Arriving in America speaking only Russian and Swahili she immediately realized she did not fit in. These early experiences helped form her unique outlook on culture and race.
Angela is an NAACP Theatre Award Nominee and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also attended The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England to study the classics. After Graduating from the Academy, she moved to NYC where she performed in off Broadway productions ranging from Shakespeare to Experimental Theatre downtown. She left NYC to tour with the Virginia based Shenandoah Shakespeare Company, then relocated to London, where she continued to perform in Television and Film. While in England, she had the opportunity to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre through studies at Morley College, London.
It was working in the Theatre that led Angela to stumble upon a wonderful play by November Dawn, entitled ‘Sunshine for a Midnight Weary’. That play was her directorial debut and awoke a new passion in Angela which garnered her a NAACP theatre nomination, and glowing reviews in the L.A. Weekly, and L.A. Times.
In 2006 she left for South Africa to travel, visit family in Pretoria (The City of Jacarandas), and perform Children’s Theatre in Johannesburg. Six months later back in Los Angeles, Angela began to make ‘mini movies’, which she wrote, directed and edited, under Richard Lawson, at the Richard Lawson Studios. That experience and the trip to South Africa was responsible for another ‘awakening’, in which a few years later would become the catalyst for writing “The Encounter”.
Dele Ogundiran, Producer
Dele is a multifaceted entertainment professional. Her introduction to the field of entertainment was in front of the camera. She has enjoyed success as an actress working in television, film and commercials and as a model whose face has graced international print campaigns. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Concentration: Finance/Accounting and Business Law) Délé felt her “left-brain” wanting to get in on the action. As a casting director she cast the award winning film “Spoonful of Sugar”, directed by Andrea Williams.
In April 2009 she embarked on her journey of writing and producing films under her own shingle: Āpphia Productions. Her first project, “The Bathroom Vanities” which she co wrote and co-produced, just wrapped post production and is on it’s way to the International Film Festival circuit.
During the rest of the year she produced three episodes of the web series “Double Cross” and coordinated a PSA. With two films she performed in, scheduled to release in 2010 and being slated to produce three films, the new year is shaping up to be a very busy year for this dynamic entertainment industry professional.
Brianna Brown, Lead Actor, Executive Producer
Brianna Brown is currently playing Dr. Lisa Niles on the Emmy Award winning show “General Hospital”. Brianna hails from the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where hot dish is king, bars are desserts brought to church basement pot lucks, and the hottest gossip around usually involves rumors of warm weather. On the silver screen, one of Brianna’s first film roles was in director Luke Greenfield's comedy “The Animal” (2001; starring Rob Schneider), which was followed by Ron Shelton's action comedy “Hollywood Homicide” (2003; starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett). In 2004, Brianna appeared in Sam Raimis’ Academy Award-winning sequel to the popular 2002 film, “Spider-Man 2”, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. The next year she played a role in Hans Canosa's independent film “Conversations with Other Women,” with Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter. Also in 2005, she starred in Jeff Kanew's romantic comedy “Adam and Eve,” starring Cameron Douglas and Emmanuelle Chriqui. In 2006, Brianna played diverse roles as a pregnant farmer’s wife in Michael Landon Jr.’s “Love’s Abiding Joy” and a Zombie slayer in the remake of the cult classic, “Night of the Living Dead 3D.” Brianna also reunited with director Judd Apatow for funny parts in the smashes “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.” Brianna has guest-starred on variety of popular shows such as CBS’ “CSI,” “CSI: New York,” “CSI: Miami,” “Without a Trace,” and the legal drama "Shark.” Additionally, she has also scored roles on the WB’s sci-fi series "Smallville," NBC’s “Joey” starring Matt LeBlanc, and ABC’s “Lost at Home.” Brianna also starred in a comedy pilot called "Dash 4 Cash" with “Step it Up 2” Robert Hoffman and directed by Betty Thomas, as well as, the Emmy-winning shows "Entourage” on HBO and USA Network's "Monk,” starring Tony Shalhoub. Recently Brianna has starred opposite Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer,” and portrayed a high-end prostitute/serial killer on the top 10 rated show “Criminal Minds.”
Brianna has also co-produced the web series “Retail Therapy”, currently in post production.
Uteni Kekana, Lead Actor
Uteni Kekana was born in Pretoria, South Africa in the late 40’s. He grew up and attended school at the height of Apartheid oppression and extremely blatant police brutality.
Forced removals of non-whites to “new locations” were common place. Mr. Kekana’s family was also forcibly relocated. With the help of the A.N.C., he was able to leave South Africa, albeit illegally; for studies abroad.
Mr. Kekana attended medical school in the then U.S.S.R., and became a Physician and later an Actor.
He says “Participation in this project, “The Encounter”, has made it even clearer to me that the cancer of bigotry is lethal to us all”.
