| Carissa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jason Jacobs Devon Delmar |
| Written by | Jason Jacobs Devon Delmar |
| Starring | Gretchen Ramsden |
| Cinematography | Gray Kotzé |
| Edited by | Devon Delmar |
| Music by | Frazer Barry Devon Delmar Mikhaila Alyssa Smith |
| Distributed by | REASON8 |
Release date |
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| Country | South Africa |
Carissa is a 2024 South African coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, in their feature film debut. It premiered at the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival.
 | This article needs a plot summary.(March 2025) |
The film was shot in Wupperthal, a town in the Cederberg region. [1] The cast consists mainly of local non-professional actors whose roles are largely based on themselves. [2]
A work-in-progress cut of the film was presented at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in the Final Cut in Venice (FVC) sidebar, where the project received three cash awards, [1] including the Venice Final Cut prize for best film in post-production. [3]
The film had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in the Orizzonti section. [4] It had its American premiere at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. [5] International distribution is handled by London-based REASON8. [6]
Variety's film critic Guy Lodge praised the film, describing it as "simultaneously still and transporting" and writing: "if there’s a lot of muzzy magic-hour beauty in Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar’s debut feature, it’s no hollow travelogue: Closely scrutinizing its young, antsy title character before gradually expanding its gaze, “Carissa” is rich with feeling for the callused hands and hearts of an overlooked but industrious countryside population". [7]
Paul Emmanuel Enicola from The Movie Buff wrote: "Carissa stands out as a film with something real to say. Jacobs and Delmar deliver a thoughtful, visually striking meditation on identity and change, carried by a strong central performance and a deep sense of place". [8]
