The cast and crew of the movie White Lies, the brainchild of Ashley Pienaar, had their first script reading on Saturday and production will start soon, he says.
Pienaar, who will direct the movie and is the chief executive officer of Power Generation Foundation Media and Film Academy (PFG), says this was the perfect opportunity for all involved to finally make sense of the enigma they have signed up for since auditions.
Some big names, such as award-winning entertainer Loukmaan Adams, entrepreneur and model Sue Duminy and well-known actor, Maurice Paige, have all come aboard to help the movie take shape.
“The cast and crew finally got a chance to meet and get properly acquainted. The production of White Lies will commence soon,” Pienaar tells the Daily Voice.
Loukmaan will play the lead role of Deon, and Pienaar says: “White Lies is based around the perfect family living on a Stellenbosch farm.
“Deon, a well-established business and family man, lives a double life as the perfect husband and father, but also as an underworld kingpin.”
Deon is married to a blonde named Karlien and together they have three children.
“As an underworld kingpin, Deon makes millions from human trafficking and international drug distribution.
“Karlien is oblivious to her husband’s dark side and suspects nothing because of her intense love for Deon.
“According to authorities, Deon is ranked number one on their list of mobsters under investigation for supplying Elsies River with drugs, money, guns and ammunition.
“These same gangs abduct women on his behalf.”
Meanwhile, his henchman AB, played by Maurice, is his only contact with Koppe, played by Enslin Grootboom, who is the commander of a Elsies gang and also Deon’s ears and eyes on the ground.
Loukmaan says he takes his hat off to Ashley for pulling it all together.
“The storyline is intriguing and everyone involved is excited.
“I can’t comment much on my character but I spoke with Ashley regarding the storyline.
“The common gangsters need to be eradicated but we should also not lose sight of those collar-and-tie criminals which Ashley highlights in the film.
“I think the focus he is putting on issues such as human trafficking and gender-based-violence is great because it’s social issues that our people experience.”
Pienaar says they plan to screen White Lies by 3 October this year depending on lockdown regulations.