Showmax has released the action-packed trailer for The Fix, premiering on 31 October 2024 as its Halloween special.
Set in a dystopian future where toxic air plagues the world, The Fix follows a model who takes a new designer drug at a party and undergoes a shocking transformation. As different factions with vested interests in the drug pursue her, Ella discovers her mutations may be the key to saving humanity.
Grace van Dien (Chrissy in Stranger Things S4) stars as Ella, alongside Daniel Sharman (Fear The Walking Dead), SAFTA nominee Keenan Arrison (Binnelanders), Clancy Brown (John Wick 4, The Penguin), and Nicole Fortuin (Alles Malan).
Check out trailer for The Fix below:
Keep an eye out for Fleur du Cap winner Tafara Nyatsanza (Beast, Blood & Water), Young Artist Award winner Caleb Payne (The Kissing Booth, Warrior), Robyn Rossouw (Arendsvlei, Summertide), and Tina Redman (Ludik, Savage Beauty).
The Fix was the opening night film at MIPAfrica and the closing night film at Chattanooga, where it won the Dangerous Visions Award.
“When you see South African filmmaker Kelsey Egan’s thrilling sci-fi/action/body horror creation, The Fix, you’ll quickly understand why we chose it as our 2024 Closing Night Selection,” says Chattanooga. “We adore this film, from the standout lead performance by the incredible Grace van Dien to its captivating dystopian setting and impressive mutation effects.”
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company, will release the South African film in the US, Canada, and select international territories on 22 November 2024.
The Fix is written and directed by American-born Kelsey Egan, who has resided in South Africa since 2007 and has recently obtained the UK Global Talent visa to work there as well.
Her debut feature, the Showmax Original Glasshouse, received widespread acclaim after its premiere at Fantasia, was sold internationally, and became the most awarded film at the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).
To find out more about The Fix, we caught up with Kelsey, who also produces the film alongside Allison Friedman (Fantasia Audience Award winner The Mortuary Collection) and South African Greig Buckle (Oscar-shortlisted Life, Above All and #1 US box office hit Chronicle).
Where did the idea for The Fix come from?
“I initially drafted The Fix in 2013, driven by an interest in how our perceptions of the world are shaped by treatment and appearances.”
” I aimed to explore these themes through the story of a girl who feels her appearance is her only source of validation. After undergoing a traumatic transformation, she must discover her identity beyond how she is perceived and understand what truly matters to her.”
“As someone with -11 vision, my parents realized my sight issues when I was about six, as I often used binoculars to see things only five feet away. I received thick glasses and was labeled a nerd, especially since I was a big reader.”
“Before sixth grade, I cut my hair and got contact lenses. On the first day at my new school, I was suddenly treated differently by peers who didn’t know me from elementary school. This experience made me aware of how superficial appearances can significantly impact how strangers interact with us and how it shapes our self-perception and worldview.”
The Fix is set in a world where the air is toxic. Did you create Covid as a marketing stunt for your film?
“I’m actually quite offended by this pandemic situation. If I had been able to make The Fix when I wanted—between 2015 and 2019—I would have been seen as innovative, but now I’m just viewed as derivative.”
How did you get Grace van Dien from Stranger Things to come to South Africa to star in your film?
“When I first met Grace, I discovered her father is Casper van Dien, who shot Starship Troopers with Clancy. Some of our crew members on The Fix also worked on that film.”
“Grace was more open to flying to South Africa because of her dad’s positive experience shooting here. Additionally, she is passionate about the genre, which made her eager to join the project. It felt like a cosmic alignment for her to follow in her dad’s footsteps and work with Clancy.”
We know South Africans love their skop, skiet en donder action movies. Tell us about the fight scenes.
“I spent eight years working as a stunt performer and made it a point to learn from every department in the industry. To improve my action directing, I trained with my stunt friends. I was shocked when this led to opportunities for stunts on major sets.”
“I auditioned for Mad Max: Fury Road and was thrilled to join their stunt team, participating in incredible training and rehearsals in Cape Town and Swakopmund. Although I felt like an imposter, the experience was invaluable. I had the chance to learn from talented stunt professionals, which deepened my passion for stunts.”
“In The Fix, there’s a particular fight scene with two talented friends from Fury Road: Matthew Van Leeve and Russ McCarroll. We had a blast choreographing that together. I feel fortunate that they were available to work on this project.”
“I’m deeply grateful to the South African stunt community for their contributions to this movie; everyone truly gave their all.”
Beyond all the fight scenes and the superhero origin story, what’s the deeper message for you?
“We are aware of the harm we’re causing to the planet, and the choices we make have long-term impacts on future generations. Yet, as a species, we resist change, which is almost our Achilles’ heel. This theme resonates through Ella’s transformation in the film. As Spider says in the trailer, “Either we change or we die.””
South African filmmaking has focused on being hyperlocal recently. Why the change in approach with The Fix?
“I believe we should create projects for the international market to develop a sustainable local industry. South Africa has a strong service industry that has been making films for international audiences for decades, but we often rely on outside projects being filmed here.”
“If we can build a reputation for delivering original, commercially viable work for international markets, we might attract more international partners for globally-minded projects. A significant part of this is raising awareness of South African talent.”
“I wanted to provide opportunities for talented South African actors like Keenan, Tina, Robyn, Tafara, and Nicole to star alongside our international cast while allowing our exceptional local crew to take on key roles that are often assigned to international teams, thus telling a story that resonates globally.”
Mark your calendars so long if you want to watch The Fix on Showmax. If you don’t have an account yet, sign up HERE.
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