Review Fix Exclusive: Zwelethu Radebe Talks ‘The Hangman’ And More

Review Fix chats with writer and director Zwelethu Radebe, who discusses “The Hangman” and the impact he’d like it to have on cinema.

About the Film:

Zwelethu Radebe’s harrowing tale is set near the end of Apartheid and has won multitude prestigious awards. The film stars Thato Dhladhla (Thina Sobabili: The Two of Us) and was written and directed by Zwelethu Radebe. This important drama has now been selected for the Oscar-qualifying film festival HollyShorts in Los Angeles and Urbanworld Film Festival in New York.

Review Fix: Was it difficult to direct this film?

Zwelethu Radebe: I think to direct the film was challenging at specific times – working against the clock and getting the performance arch’s right for the actors to deliver. Looking back in hindsight developing the script was far tougher than directing it.

Review Fix: What was the feeling like on set?

Radebe: It was beautiful, a once in a lifetime experience, the production of the film had a great spirit and everyone was equally passionate about making a great film. I wish I could do it all over again.

Review Fix: What stands out the most about your cast?

Radebe: What stood out the most was there understanding of the characters, which made the film so authentic. They really embodied the roles like they were tailor-made for them.

Review Fix: What makes this film special?

Radebe: There’s a great presence or atmosphere the film has which I’ve witnessed when the audience around the world watch the film. It always creates the same response, which is pin drop silence as the film unpacks itself and then a sigh of relief once it’s over – that’s special.

Review Fix:
Who will enjoy it the most?

Radebe: The film has a global resonance because it deals with family dynamics and how our actions affect those we love.

Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of Hollyshorts Film Festival?

Radebe: It’s awesome I’m so proud of the film and everyone who was involved in making it. HollyShorts is a prestigious festival and I feel blessed to screen beside such great films from across the globe.

Review Fix: Why is the subject matter of this film important?

Radebe: It’s important because the film deals with the destructive power of concealing the truth from those we love.

Review Fix: Do you connect with it in any way?

Radebe: Yes absolutely, I grew up not knowing the truth of who was responsible for murdering my father and till this day have never found out. I had to learn forgiveness to move on, instead of letting hatred rule over my heart. I used some of my own life experiences to create the fictional narrative.


Review Fix: Bottom Line: Why must someone see this film?

Radebe: The film explores the human condition of why we keep secrets as human beings.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Radebe: I’m currently developing the feature film version of The Hangman with a Los Angeles based production company.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13821 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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