Alison is a 2016 South African documentary film directed, written and produced by Uga Carlini. The film is based on the real life abduction, rape, stabbings, abandonment and then survival of Alison Botha in 1994. Botha appears as her older self.[1][2] The film premiered at the Dances with Films Festival in 2016.[3]

Alison
Directed byUga Carlini
Screenplay byUga Carlini
Produced byUga Carlini
Starring
CinematographyGeorgia Court
Edited byDaniel Mitchell
Music byAlice Gillham
Production
company
Towerkop Creations
Release date
  • May 16, 2016 (2016-05-16)
Running time
80 minutes
CountrySouth Africa

Premise

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The documentary is based on the Marianne Thamm book, I Have Life, published by Penguin Random House. Alison is a triumphant, deeply personal and fairytale-like account of a woman who, after enduring a horrific incident in which she is raped, stabbed and disemboweled, refuses to become a victim. Through her survival spirit, she is able to transform trauma into a personal liberation that has rippling effects on all who meet, hear and see her. Very much her own hero, her tale is one of the relentless nature of trauma and the constant struggle to keep it at bay. Built around intimate interview sessions, this is a story of monsters, miracles and hope in the new South Africa.[4][5]

Cast

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Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2016 Asia-Pacific Film Festival Best Documentary Film Uga Carlini Won [6]
Silwerskerm Film Festival Best documentary Feature Nominated
2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Documentary Feature Won [7]
South African Film and Television Awards Best Documentary Feature Nominated [8]
Best Achievement in Directing Nominated
Best Achievement in Cinematography Georgia Court Nominated
Best Achievement in Editing Daniel Mitchell Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "'Alison' film bags two awards for SA director". heraldlive.co.za. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  2. ^ "The Writing Studio graduate Uga Carlini changes lives with her profound documentary Alison". writingstudio.co.za. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  3. ^ "South Africa Pic 'Alison' Screens at Dances With Films". variety.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Abducted, raped, stabbed and left for dead: Alison Botha's incredible story of survival remains relevant". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. ^ "MOVIE REVIEW: Alison". iol.co.za. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Another win for Uga Carlini's award winning 'Alison'". filmcontact.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  7. ^ "'76' wins five awards at AMVCA 2017 [See full list of winners]". dailypost.ng. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Golden Horn Documentary Feature Nominations 2017" (PDF). nfvf.co.za. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

Sources

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Marianne Thamm: I Have Life: Alison's journey ISBN 9781776093168

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