Meet Jordy Sank | Director and Screenwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jordy Sank and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jordy, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a career in the arts, particularly in film, because it is in my blood. Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, I binged on international kids’ TV shows and movies, so much so that I had an American accent. I used to steal my father’s old camera and would try to tell visual stories with my friends, pets and whoever I could find. Filmmaking just feels like it has always been a part of me and has been calling out from the depths of my soul. I was fascinated by it all and for as long as I can remember I always knew that I wanted to be in the film industry, creating and telling stories. One of the ultimate questions that I have constantly grappled with to this day has been ‘how do I turn my passion into a viable career.’ I don’t have the answer to this just yet but I am in pursuit and with sheer determination am going to make it work and one day I will have the answer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am passionate about telling stories with an intimate human focus. ‘I Am Here’ is a feature documentary about the remarkable life of a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor, Ella Blumenthal. ‘Leemtes en Leegheid (A Void)’ is a short film about love, loss and grieving where Magdaleen, a woman in her 80s, imagines a version of her husband that she cannot let go of. I am most proud of emotionally moving people through my films and using them as a catalyst for conversation on important themes. It has not been easy to get to where I am today, because the film world is oversaturated with filmmakers, but being able to make the projects that I have had the privilege of making and the many awards they have won is a true testament that people believe in my work. My biggest takeaway has been that you have to believe in yourself and that not everyone will love your work; at the end of the day, it is art which is subjective. My company, Sanktuary Films, creates a sanctuary for audiences who believe in the power and impact of storytelling and value the craft of filmmaking as a sacred art. We make films that enlighten the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Johannesburg and being so close to the Kruger National Park I would take anyone international there for a visit, it is a must! Being able to wake up early and track wildlife is truly a unique and wonderful experience. There we can also have a Braai (South African Barbecue).

In Johannesburg itself, I would take anyone to the Sandton Sundeck for sundowners, the Bioscope theatre to watch a movie, and Fathercoffee in Kramerville for a great coffee. There are so many incredible museums in South Africa like the Cradle of Humankind and the Apartheid Museum that we’d have to go to. South Africa has such a diverse and wonderful range of different people so one of the highlights would be meeting people of all backgrounds and cultures.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My dedication goes to my wife, Sara, who is a beacon of encouragement and always pushes me to excel far beyond what I imagine to be possible. I know that being married to a filmmaker is not easy; being away for shoots and festivals or working late at night or on weekends. But she is incredibly supportive and sacrifices a lot because she believes in me and my work, which really helps make the journey worthwhile. I also need to mention and express gratitude to my extended family who is the most supportive bunch of people in the world.

Website: sanktuaryfilms.com

Instagram: instagram.com/sanktuaryfilms/ and instagram.com/jordysank/

Facebook: facebook.com/sanktuaryfilms and facebook.com/jordy.sank