By Unam Ntsababa
Carissa, the South African drama directed by Devon Delmar and Jason Jacobs, has captured global attention and premiered at the 80th Venice Film Festival as part of the prestigious Final Cut selection. This film mirrors the complex realities of heritage, rebellion, and the relentless tug of war between tradition and modernity. Set against the striking backdrop of the Cederberg mountains, this visually rich and emotionally charged film tells the story of a young woman, Carissa, navigating the pressures of family, community, and the rapidly changing world around her.
At its heart, Carissa is about choices — between staying rooted in the past or embracing an uncertain future. The film centres on the titular character, played with stunning depth by Gretchen Ramsden, who’s torn between the expectations of her grandmother, Wilhelmiena, and the rebellious spirit inherited from her estranged grandfather, Hendrik. As the corporate world threatens to overtake their rooibos tea land for a luxury golf estate, Carissa is caught between two opposing forces: Wilhelmiena’s push towards the opportunities presented by the modern world, and Hendrik’s offer of refuge in the mountains, where the old ways still hold sway. The tension between these characters forms the film’s emotional core, creating a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Carissa truly stands out because of its raw, semi-documentary style, allowing the audience to feel themselves living through Carissa’s journey. Delmar and Jacobs spent over six years developing the film, working closely with the local Wupperthal community, and its intentionality shows in every frame. This authentic connection to the land and its people is reflected in the casting of residents, who bring unparalleled authenticity to their roles as mothers, farmers, and elders. The film’s creators let the environment inform the story, creating an organic, immersive experience where the mountains and the people who inhabit them are as much characters as Carissa herself.
The film’s visual language is stunning, with the Cederberg mountains providing a vast, almost mythical landscape against which Carissa’s internal struggles play out. The region’s natural beauty contrasts sharply with the looming threat of the Mont Royale conglomerate, whose plans to develop a luxury golf estate symbolise the encroachment of modernity and capitalism on traditional ways of life. This tension isn’t just external — it’s reflected in Carissa’s journey, as she grapples with her desire to break free from the small village life she has always known.
This story is a meditation on the delicate balance between heritage and progress, between saving what makes us who we are and forging new paths. The film resonates on a deeper level because it speaks to the broader struggle faced by many communities in South Africa and beyond — how to navigate the forces of globalisation and change while staying true to one’s roots. For Carissa, the mountains become a sanctuary, a place where she can reflect on the choices before her and confront the competing influences that shape her life.
The film’s success at the Venice Film Festival is a testament to its universal appeal and the strength of its storytelling. It’s rare for a film so deeply rooted in local culture to resonate on such a global stage, but Carissa does so by tapping into themes that are relevant everywhere — family, identity, and the pressures to conform to a rapidly changing world. The collaboration with the Wupperthal community adds layers of authenticity and depth to the film, making it not just a story about one woman but a reflection of an entire community’s fight for survival.
Carissa has already garnered widespread acclaim, not only for its storytelling but also for its commitment to showcasing the beauty and struggles of rural South Africa. The directors’ decision to cast locals in key roles, drawing from their lived experiences, adds a rich texture to the film. It’s more than just a visual spectacle — it’s a love letter to the people and places that inspired it.
With its captivating performances, stunning visuals, and deeply resonant themes, Carissa is an unforgettable journey into the heart of what it means to find yourself amidst the chaos of tradition and progress. It’s not just a film about one woman’s rebellion — it’s a call to recognise the importance of heritage in a world that’s constantly pushing us to forget it. This is a film that demands to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
