As an emerging female writer and director, I knew that I wanted to create a film based on the landscape of multilingualism in South Africa, the Afrikaner culture and LGBTQIA+ bodies to question the moments of intimacy and love that grows in between these spaces and borders created within society, as these are realities that I know and experience on a day-to-day basis. I knew that I wanted to create a process of collaboration, drawing on the various strengths that speaks the truth of the story, that collaborative process carried through to the general approach of the film, allowing the actors and crew to play a pivotal role in shaping the world of ​ekstasis. While watching this film I don’t necessarily want the viewer to ‘take’ something away, but rather to be affected by an experience. To feel or to be reminded of a feeling.

Emilie Badenhorst is a theatre graduate of the University of Cape Town and has developed an intruiging debut body of work. that roots itself in a rich and intimate style. She has written, conceptualised and directed a number of film projects including Bubblegum, a fashion film which was nominated for both best cinematography and best Art Direction at the 2017 Bokeh International Fashion Film Festival. Commercially Emilie has directed projects for brands such as Bonobo Jeans, Puma, Woolworths as well as multiple music videos and short films.She recently directed music videos for Romeo Elvis, 6lack, Khalid and Lolo Zouai. She has also featured inNakid_Magazine and Metal Magazine for her experimental short film “Unsex Me”.Emilie has a true understanding of performance. She strives to express our need for connection with one another and her aim is for the viewer to have a visceral experience of what it means to be human, to create a voice of hope. Emilie was recently nominated as one of the top 5 new female directors to watch in South Africa by theadvertising and creative showcase 10 & 5.