A Fool’s Paradise (2019) was the first Bilateral Co-Production Documentary feature film between The Netherlands and South Africa. Rough or Smooth (2012) is a 13 x Half Hour HD Travel, Food, Lifestyle Series with a twist, which was simultaneously also finished as a separate 13 part series in Afrikaans – Rof of Spog. The series has been sold in South Africa and Canada. Aside from our highly acclaimed, festival favourite documentaries such as Black Beulahs (2005/6), Two Moms (SABC 2, 2004) and Metamorphosis (SABC 3, 2000) – in 2006/7 Underdog also produced the documentary Only a Number (SABC 3) and in 2003 Underdog produced the controversial, late-night television series Below the Belt, hosted by the Baroness. This 13-part show, and the special Below The Belt Cape Town, also enjoyed international distribution to Australia, Germany and Canada. In 1998 the two-hour television documentary Death also distributed internationally won three prestigious awards including Gold in the NTVA Avanti documentary category.
A list with descriptions of some of the highlights of our Film & Television work follows:
Factual / Documentaries
A Fool’s Paradise (Feature Doc UHD) (2019)
A cinematic road trip through South Africa. As a Dutch-South-African filmmaker, Saskia Vredeveld asks herself the question ‘did I become a racist, because I grew up in a racist country?’ Questions of Fear, Gilt and Belonging are explored in the film. Dutch / South African Co-Production
Rough or Smooth / Rof of Spog (13 x Factual Series HD – English & Afikaans Versions) (2012)
Travel Series –
FOOD, LIFESTYLE, ADVENTURE
Rough or Smooth – the best of both ways…
It’s Only a Number (TV Doc SD) (2006)
Michael and Anita Arendsen are married and living a quiet life in South Africa – but there is something about this couple that ensures the people around them are anything but quiet.
Black Beulahs (TV Doc SD) (2005)
What does it mean to be a Black Beulah? Within the bustling township of Soweto, outside Johannesburg, there is a sub culture few know about and even fewer will openly speak of.
Two Moms (TV Doc SD) (2004)
There are many moments in South Africa’s history which stand as testimony to our great constitution. Perhaps one such moment was the courts decision to allow lesbian couple, Suzanne Du Toit and Anna-Marié De Vos to legally adopt their children.
Flush (TV Doc Series SD) (2004)
Ladies and gents – it is time to separate the girls and the boys as we take a look at that great divide and black hole of taboos – The Toilet.
Below the Belt (13 x Adult Factual Series SD) (2003)
Would you let a Baroness get below your belt? Underdog and the wickedly hilarious, Baroness Coral von Reefenhausen, tackle every taboo topic both in the cupboard and out in this decadent late-night series.
Below the Belt Cape Town (Adult Factual International Special SD) (2003)
Would you let a Baroness get below your belt in Cape Town? The wickedly hilarious, Baroness Coral von Reefenhausen, tackles every taboo topic in this Cape Town adult special for the International Market.
By Night (TV Doc Series SD) (2002)
Noctiphobia is the fear of the night and even for people not suffering with this fear – it is largely instinctual to return to their homes at night in seek of rest, refuge and security. Have you ever wondered what happens to those who start their ‘day’ as the sun sets on yours?
Metamorphosis: The Remarkable Journey of Granny Lee (TV Doc SD) (2000)
What memories of your Granny do you cherish? Cookies baking in the oven? Knitting? How about crazy nights in smoke-filled nightclubs amongst Joburg’s hottest boys and bachelors? This is a true story of one very unusual granny.
Death (TV Doc Series SD) (1997)
It is feared, celebrated and embraced. It is obsessed over, cheated, narrowly escaped and ultimately inevitable. Some people will bring about their own and others spend their whole lives trying to delay it. This film is about death
Short Films
Beautiful Contradictions (Short Film HD) (2009)
Directed by Fanney Tsimong and Produced by Nhlanhla Ndaba of Doti-Produucxionz in association with Underdog Productions, Out in Africa and Nado’s, this gay film reflects on the troubled and often dark relationships between African men that exists within South Africa.
Hot Legs (Short Film 16mm) (1995)
One of Underdog’s earliest films and yet still relevant – Hot Legs is about love, revenge and fantasy between two young men. Gay Fantasy.
Clubbing (Short Film SD) (1994)
Back in the days when the Underdog’s founders were pups themselves – they made this film as the first Underdog short film ever. It captures the time of change in the country and the period just before the countries first democratic elections, from a young liberal persons perspective before they all go out clubbing. It includes one of the first gay relationships captured in South African film. It’s available for free to watch on Vimeo.
Short Form – Promos, Commercials and Corporate Vidoes
Hit Back Empower Yourself (5 x 90sec TV Fillers) (HD) (2010)
Produced for SABC Education, these fillers were broadcast on the SABC in 2010 around “16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children”. DIrector Fanney Tsimong, teamed up with producer Marc Schwinges and DOP Richard Muller to produce this series with South African Celebrities in a studio setting.
Proudly SA Filler – Tomorrow Starts Now (3 Min Filler) (HD) (2010)
This 3 minute filler was just produced by Underdog and the Rocket Scientists for SABC Education Youth Strand. It was produced in mid May 2010, just before the World Cup took place and was designed to promote young people who were destined to grow as a result of the World Cup.
Standard Bank- Fleet Management Awards (3min 9 seconds) (HD) (2014)
Underdog shot an awards corporate video for Standard Bank’s Fleet Management in early 2014. Due to the fact that the staff are shown in the video we can not show the video on our website.
There are many other short form promos, corporate videos and commercials Underdog has produced over the years, mainly in SD.
Highlights include:
- Judging & Sponsors Inserts, Finalist Profiles and Promos for the televised: Shoprite Checkers/SABC 2 Woman of the Year Awards 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 where Underdog also produced a 48 min documentary.
- Finalist Profiles and Promos for the televised Community Builder of the Year 2008
Sponsored by Sowetan and Old Mutual. - 30 sec TV Commercial for the CTICC (The Cape Town International Convention Centre) in 2008
- Awards Coverage for Flight Centre Masked Ball 2006.
- 6min insert highlighting the work of Dr. James McIntyre and Dr. Glenda Gray who received the Nelson Mandela award for Health and Human rights in recognition of their significant work in the field of Perinatal HIV Research in 2003.
- City Of Johanensburg, Gibbs & MTN Buisness Masterminds 2003.
- TV 11 Min Infomercial, 60 and 30 sec TV Commercials – 21st Century Funerals Direct in 2002.
- 24 x 60 sec and 1 x 120sec TV Commotion Spots for Blue Ribbon Bread “Generous Baker Competition” 1&2 – 2001/2022
- 4x 60 & 30sec TV spots – Excitement Stores – Mystery Gift Promotion – 2001
- Viagra “Faces of Impotence ” South African Lunch for Pfizer South Africa – 10min – 1998