Catching Feelings, Director / Writer Kagiso Lediga

Max Matshane (Kagiso Lediga), is a 34-year old author who wrote a South African bestseller in his 20’s, but whose star has waned and now finds himself as a disgruntled professor, teaching creative writing at the local university. Max lives in a leafy Johannesburg suburb with his exceptionally beautiful wife, Samkelo (Pearl Thusi), whose career is on the rise as a reputable journalist. Despite their love for each other, their relationship has hit a rut. Max now spends his time at dinners and events, musing over his frustrations with his key conspirator and sounding board, Joel (Akin Omotoso), who himself has his hands full with an illicit affair. A wintery Johannesburg sets the scene, as it brings with it a very successful and flamboyant author, Heiner Miller (Andrew Buckland), who abandoned South Africa for greener pastures and now returns to do a residency in Max’s department. But after Heiner suffers a mild heart attack, Max is forced to bring him into his own home to recuperate. Instantly, tensions rise as the infectious joie de vivre of Heiner is set on a collision course with the mundane life that Max and Sam have cultivated. With new questions about love and truth thrust upon them, Max and Sam are faced with an unexpected crossroad, as they search for reason and purpose to life. Director and writer Kagiso Lediga joins usto talk about his edgy, sophisticated and funny feature and its debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival.