Anton’s comment: ‘We have to believe that the hero in this piece is a stuntman in all these blockbuster films, so every scene has to have a blockbuster feeling to it. The team at Strangelove pull this off seamlessly and add that big scale and polish to the story. The water effects were particularly impressive.’

Julie’s comment: ‘Shelby’s attention to great editing timing helped make this vid dramatically epic.’

Mark’s comment: ‘I had to mention the work of Shelby Ncube. He expertly weaves together abstract performance scenes and winding narrative, without discombobulating the audience and keeping me emotionally engaged throughout.’

Carl’s comment: ‘I love this piece so much. I consider direction to include all the various aspects and layers that go into producing something. Cinematography, editing, music, it’s all there and it’s all pretty dramatically epic. A little mini 4’40” movie that has drama, and tension. The pictures are beautiful, but the feeling of it all is just so powerful. Well done to Paul and the rest of the team.’

AK’s comment: ‘Anyone know what Animism means? If not watch this piece. Well done to Director Paul and Editor Xander for the love and care they took in their respective roles on this impressive piece of work. I enjoyed being swept away in this abstract, poetic short film that also manages to stay on-brand for Mami Wata surf apparel and accessories.’

Mzi’s comment: ‘Xander does an amazing job of exploiting the medium. The use of transitional elements, match cuts and optimising on camera movement and performance is impressive. Well done!’

Stephanie’s comment: “This is pure cinematic storytelling at its finest. No tricks or tired “looks”. With beautiful performances, incredible pacing – it’s a visual feast that takes you on a journey with a character that you as a viewer are rooting for from start to finish. As they say ‘if it looks like an ad and smells like an ad, it’s probably not a very good ad.’ This does not look or smell like an ad. Nice.”

Lebogang’s comment: “The team from Strangelove did an exceptional job and Daniel Mitchell’s edit takes this whole visual masterpiece to an even more powerful level. Well done!’

Grant’s comment: “This could not have been an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. The edit and grade topped of what is clearly a well worked piece of VFX meets live-action. Love it.”

Grant’s comment: “This pace of this edit makes what could have felt crazily chaotic actually land very easily and gave just enough for me to get the feeling of each shot and move along knowing all I needed to know.”

Cindy’s comment: “A visually breathtaking film, intimate, yet abstract in its handling of love and loss. This music video sucks us into a world that is both foreign and familiar. It’s dark and moody and incredibly sexy, so much so that at times I was grateful to be watching alone. It took me on one hell of a rollercoaster of a ride and made me yearn for my youth. A visual and visceral masterpiece. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Judge’s comment: “The short film ‘Boni and Wes’ finds itself back on the radar this month, and earns a special mention for the Editing, Colouring and Online contributions that were all unsung parts that helped craft a fine piece of work as a whole.”

Kabelo’s comment: “None of this is possible without the slick editing by Kobus Loots, the beautiful grade by Nic Apostoli, as well as the true to form visual effects Charmaine Greyling and Darian Simon. Gold standard post-production from Strangelove.”

Marc’s comment: “Strangelove did an excellent job of pulling all of these pieces together. The edit, VFX and Grade are all very well done. I especially enjoyed the VFX on the Nollywood scene. They had some great content to work with and really did an excellent job making it all work seamlessly together. Well done to Kobus, Nic, Charmaine and Darian.”

Judges Comment:
Steph: We couldn’t decide between the two pieces, so there are two Best of Reels this month.
Moses: I’ve seen a lot in my nine lives, and rarely does something feel new. This piece popped.
Steph: I love the structure of it. The edit perfectly accentuates the track, with each character representing an instrument. It’s playful and astute. Great casting too, which is fitting, because it’s for a casting agency.

*Please note: The work displayed on this page was done by the Strangelove artists whilst at another company.