In 1986, a serial killer begins stalking children on the Cape Flats. He became known as the Station Strangler.
For filmmaker Nadine Cloete, it was hearing testimony from a criminal profiler that gave her a truly terrifying sense of the story she was trying to tell in her Showmax documentary. station strangler.
Micky Pistorius interview “Very intense”
“I think in other interviews I've been able to pretty much detach myself emotionally. But in her case, she went so deep into the psyche of a serial killer that it was really intense.” said Cloete, speaking about her sit-down with criminal profiler Mickey Pistorius.
In 1986, a faceless serial killer begins stalking children on the Cape Flats. He became known as the Station Strangler. By 1994, 22 boys were found sodomized and strangled to death.
In 1995, schoolteacher Norman Simmons was found guilty of murdering 10-year-old Elroy van Rooyen, the last victim in a series of child murders.
Twenty-eight years after his incarceration, Simons was released on parole, inflicting yet another wound on a community where justice seemed out of reach.
station strangler It features interviews with the victims' families, lead investigators J.D. Kotze, Pistorius, and Dr. Alan Borsak.
Watch: Trailer of station strangler
“It was difficult to get into those spaces. It was very difficult to deal with the case, the facts and evidence in front of you and see it,” Cloete said.
“Twenty-one people died. Think about what that meant to people who grew up near that community during their childhood. I made a documentary about Station Strangler. If you tell someone, they have a story to share about their experience.”
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tell a story
Cloete said the first person she interviewed was former judge Ruth Jakuja, who wrote: Station Strangler: S vs. Azval S. Simmons.
“She's one of the people who feels that Norman Simmons is innocent. I think that helped because it set the tone for the rest of the interview. I took her at her word and supported her claims and I tried to balance things,” the filmmaker said.
The film was produced by IdeaCandy Production Agency. This is the same company that has produced other captivating stories such as: Rosemary's Hit List, Prisoner Conman and Tracking Tabo Bester.
Cloete was brought into the project by IdeaCandy.
“They were looking for a director for this documentary they were making. They have a great reputation, so I immediately wanted to work with them and learn from them,” she said. Said.
Cloete said she felt this was a topic she wanted to work on because it was both a criminal case and a story of history and identity.
“Then they called me into a meeting and told me what the subject was. I was surprised because it was a subject I knew. All children of color grew up watching this story. The Station Strangler was a kind of bogeyman.
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Victim's voice
The director said he received mixed reactions from the victims' families. For example, the Van Rooyen family was very eager to talk to us. Elroy van Rooyen's aunt Florence still harbored intense anger towards Simmons.
“So getting the family buy-in was an instant yes.But Rhino [Elroy’s cousin] He wasn't sure if he wanted to participate. I went and talked to him in person, and he agreed to talk. He was very supported by his family. ”
The Samay family was a little hesitant as it was very difficult to be interviewed. “While Mr. Van Rooyen's case went to court, the same did not happen to the Samaai people. They still have many questions,” she said of the family.
Cloete said things changed when she interviewed Pam, one of the Samaai sisters.
“Pam told us that she kept all the newspapers related to the case, so the scene in the documentary where she pulls out all the newspapers on the kitchen table was unplanned. , that's what happened that day.
“I think it was natural for the family to play out a scene like that, and I think that helped with the rest of the interviews with the Samaai family.”
station stranglerwhich premieres on Showmax on Wednesday, November 6th.
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