By Georg Szalai
Publication Date: 2026-10-18 07:30:00
Ouma Hettie is an octogenarian goat herder in South Africa’s Kamiesberge. When she falls victim to a scam promising reparation for her father’s unpaid service during World War II, her family becomes more involved than she would like them to.
Welcome to the world of Variations on a Theme (Variasies op ‘n Tem) from writers/directors Devon Delmar and Jason Jacobs (Carissa), which won the Tiger Award at this year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam and just screened at the 70th edition of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).
“A poetic and distinctive visual style infuses playfulness into this insightful study of a woman’s resilience and a community that exists close to the land,” the LFF website said about the film.
Delmar, who also edited the film, came to London for LFF snd talked to THR about the musicalness of Variations on a Theme and how it may well be the only movie ever to be written on Microsoft Excel.
The film has a rhythmic…
