Act of Kindness

Feature-length documentary Act of Kindness follows the search for one very helpful man, in a country of 11 million people. In 1999 Kiwi Sven Pannell arrived penniless in Rwanda, after bribing himself out of a worrying encounter with rebel militia in Burundi. He was saved by a street beggar who spoke perfect English. Eight years later Pannell got the chance to return to Rwanda with camera in hand, and say thanks — so long as he can track his saviour down. Directed by Pannell and Costa Botes (Forgotten Silver), the documentary is a portrait of compassion, obsession, and a nation recovering from tragedy.

I did what I should have done at the start. I just sat down with Sven’s footage and started editing. It had always seemed like such a dauntingly complicated thing, but I had this little epiphany where I saw the simplicity of it ... It was probably the most complex bit of editing I’ve ever done, but I hope it doesn’t look like it.

– Editor and co-director Costa Botes

Key Cast & Crew

Richard Heacock

Composer

Fabrice Kirwa

Camera Operator, Subject

Olive Musique

Composer

Sven Pannell

Co-Director, Subject, Camera Operator

Matt Stutter

Sound Design, Sound Mix

Costa Botes

Co-Director, Editor