Dian Weys
Synopsis :
The term "bergie" is a South Africanism that refers to people that are homeless, since
they usually sought refuge on the slopes of Table Mountain (in Afrikaans, ‘Tafelberg’).
When a law enforcement officer has to remove homeless people to make way for a 10km
fun-run, he has to navigate the complex intersection of the law and personal
responsibility when confronted with the dignity of those often ignored.
Director Biography :
Dian Weys studied BCom Law and English Honours at the University of the Free State
and Honours in Film & Television Studies at the University of Cape Town. He completed a
Masters in Film Studies cum laude at the University of Cape Town in 2016 and has since
published research papers on cinematic ethics, responsible filmmaking and short film
studies. "Versnel", his first short film, screened at fifteen film festivals, including five
Oscar-qualifying festivals. "Plaashuis", his crowdfunded second short film, was selected
at festivals such as the FIAPF-accredited Tampere Film Festival and Message to Man IFF.
“Bergie” is his third short film which screened at festivals such as Clermont-Ferrand,
Palm Springs, ZINEBI Bilbao, Busan ISFF and won the Tanit d'Argent for Best Short Film
at the Carthage Film Festival. He is currently a joint-PhD candidate at the University of
Groningen and Stellenbosch University.
Versnel (Accelerate) [2017]
Plaashuis (Farmhouse) [2021]
Bergie [2022]