# 14

 

Eben Brink

 

Cinephilia is described as having a passionate interest in cinema, film theory, and film criticism and productions. Otherwise known as someone being a movie buff. Being interested in films can be misconstrued in many ways. But a young film student from the iron ore capital of the Northern Cape province made sure that his passion for it would not let people mistake his love of films as only being enjoyed when only watching it.

 

Eben Brink always loved films and allowed himself be absorbed into the story and the different moments which it had to offer, believing that he invented the character, settings and the magic that went along with it. But that pure excitement and the magical feeling was only fully realized in 2012 when he first saw the release of an Afrikaans romance film called “Semi Soet.” The effect which the film had on the audience spurred this realization and ignited a small spark of thinking to become an actor. Being an actor has it glorious moments for sure and it is definitely one of the most exciting careers and adventurous lifestyle that one can live, but as this spark started to take more heat and fire, Eben actually gained a higher interest in what happens behind the camera and what actually is the source of allowing the audience to be enticed with the film and its characters leaving them wanting sequels and spin-offs.

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To have a dream of being someone or doing something great is probably one of the most exciting feelings that one can have in his/her life but unfortunately those dreams aren’t given the chance of being developed into something real and obtainable and thus turns into a phrase that I personally avoid as much as possible – a pipe dream. By definition, a dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal. By my opinion, a dream is something that exists for a reason and should be realized in any way possible. And this is the same opinion that Eben has as well even though he knew that growing up in the countryside wouldn’t allow opportunities to existing in his geographical area anytime soon.

 

Kathu, also known as the town under the trees, is a small town known for its small communities and being less vibrant than other cities like Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town etc. where more opportunities for professional career growth exists. Facing this challenge of not gaining the knowledge and experience needed to pursue this adventure made it ten times more difficult for him especially growing up with a community who isn’t accustomed to the film industry and all the various aspects that go along with it thus not allowing space to share this adventure with the community. But yet the sparked remained within him and he decided to add his own fuel to it.

 

Eben broke through the fences of the country lifestyle and headed out to Cape Town to become a film student as he was intended to be. He took a course in Film & TV at City Varsity where he gained his first diploma at City Varsity, with the opportunity to direct a few of his own varsity films. Being already focused on fully committing to the film industry, Eben also stated that he wouldn’t mind playing around in the Marketing and Business areas of the entertainment and film industry. But he also firmly adds that the challenge to producing a film as well as marketing it and attracting an audience to watch the flick is to show them back to their seats and support the release of the next set of films.

 

Dreams and goals are dependent on hope, support and a great interest that can be easily be lost if not reminded of why it exists in the first place. If your interest in your dreams become gradually diminished by either self doubt or negative support and remarks, then the hope, willpower and mental strength to pursue it will deteriorate along with it. A constant reminder and an environment that you create out of positive energy is a great start to keeping that small burning ember which is your goal, alive.

 

It is very inspiring to know that such young and mentally focused adults with well-matured mindsets still holds a strong believe and hope for their own future. As a tree, Eben claims that he is slowly growing into the director and producer who he wants to be and in time will reach his own full potential. Although he is only a film student now, his next step is to move to Pretoria and work on a few film sets which we might even see on theatre stages or on the big screen so have a look out at the credits and typed in bold: EBEN BRINK

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Cheers for this week

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WA