Alison is a 2016 South African documentary film directed, written and produced by Uga Carlini. The film is based on the real life abduction, gang rape, stabbings, abandonment, and then survival of Alison Botha in 1994. Botha appears as her older self. The film premiered at the Dances with Films Festival in 2016.
Premise The documentary is based on the Marianne Thamm book, I Have Life, published by Penguin Random House. Alison combines re-enactments with interviews to tell the story of a South African woman who endured a horrific incident in which she is raped, stabbed and disemboweled. The film’s hybrid style has a fairytale quality, turning participants into archetypes. Built around intimate interview sessions, is a story of “monsters, miracles and hope”. The film goes beyond the horrific events to explore the woman herself and how she helped others through her life.
Cast Alison Botha as herself Christia Visser as Young Alison
Accolades Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result 2016 Asia-Pacific Film Festival Best Documentary Film Uga Carlini Silwerskerm Film Festival Best documentary Feature 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Documentary Feature South African Film and Television Awards Best Documentary Feature Best Achievement in Directing Best Achievement in Cinematography Georgia Court Best Achievement in EditingDaniel Mitchell
References
Sources Marianne Thamm: I Have Life: Alison's journey
External links
Alison on Letterboxd.com