CARISSA
Special Features: Co-presented by the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
In a sleepy mountainside village nestled in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa, 20-something Carissa lives a humdrum life amidst the rooibos tea plantations. Dreaming of escaping to the big city, she bides her time scrolling on her phone and getting drunk at the bar, much to the dismay of her grandmother. When a multinational conglomerate decides to build a luxury golf course on the land where rooibos has been grown for generations, Carissa’s grandmother sees it as a great opportunity. But Carissa is not so keen and seeks refuge with her long-absent grandfather, who happens to be one of the farmers soon to be displaced. Featuring vast landscapes and beautifully rendered performances (from a mostly non-professional cast), the film, crafted by co-screenwriters and directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, is a tender, coming of age tale in touch with the natural world. Official Selection, 2024 Venice Film Festival; 2025 Santa Barbara Film Festival. DIR/SCR Devon Delmar, Jason Jacobs; PROD Annemarie du Plessis, Deidré Jantjies. South Africa, 2024, color, 89 min. In Afrikaans with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
Since 1993, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) has been the world's premier showcase of environmental storytelling. Through their annual festival, year-round programs, and online resources, DCEFF seeks to advance public understanding of the environment through the power of film. This year's festival runs March 20–29 at venues across the Washington, DC, area. For a full list of festival programs, visit dceff.org.
Run Time: 89 Minutes
Opening Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Genre: Drama