In the modern African setting of South Africa, the narrative of "Flatland" challenges societal concerns regarding race, social status, and gender roles.

In the world of cinema, 'Flatland' is a genre mashup that blends western, police procedural, and pure kitsch, creating a unique narrative. The film's hard-boiled detective, Beauty Cuba, portrayed by Faith Baloyi, is a captivating character with a penchant for velour tracksuits, flashy sunglasses, and an unexpected addiction to the soapie 'Generations'.

Shot by international cinematographer Sarah Cunningham, 'Flatland' takes audiences on a journey into South Africa's dry interior region, emphasizing dusty roads, distant mountains, and endless skies. The film had its North American premiere in the Contemporary World Cinema selection of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and opened the Panorama section of the Berlinale Film Festival in February 2019.

The life of middle-aged policewoman Beauty Cuba changes forever when she receives a call for help from her former lover Billy, who has been re-arrested for the murder of a pastor. The drama questions issues of race, class, and gender, offering a portrait of femininity against a hostile frontier land, exploring what it means to be a woman today in South Africa and the world at large.

Behind the lens of 'Flatland' is Jenna Bass, a South African writer, filmmaker, and former magician, who has directed and co-written several award-winning films. Bass, wanting to create an adventure for women who were ignored by traditional Westerns, realized she couldn't identify with them and set out to craft a story that would resonate with a wider audience.

The film's climax is a showdown not just between men, but between genre, gender, and the psyche of South Africa. 'Flatland' is a contemporary drama that follows the self-discovery journey of three women: a pregnant teenager, a young bride, and a middle-aged cop, set against the backdrop of the Karoo.

The real culprit of the accidental murder is the painfully shy, young and just-married Natalie Jonkers, played by Nicole Fortuin, who flees her small, rural town on horseback and teams up with her childhood friend Poppie, portrayed by Izel Bezuidenhout, to outrun the law and make their way to Johannesburg.

The themes of gender, genre, and the psyche of South Africa are inextricable in 'Flatland'. The film explores an inter-class and -racial friendship, as well as topical explorations of gender roles and consent, especially when it comes to Natalie's abusive husband.

'Flatland' is a strange film about some strange people and places that can't begin to encapsulate the whole, complicated country. Yet, it offers a compelling glimpse into the heart of South Africa, challenging its audience to question the status quo and consider the question "What is a woman?" as equally indefinable, with the necessity for women's solidarity being as great as ever.

The film was produced by South Africa's Proper Film, with Luxembourg's Deal Productions and Germany's In Good Company, in co-production with Germany's unafilm and ZDF/Das Kleine Fernsehspiel, and in cooperation with Arte. It was made in association with the National Film & Video Foundation of South Africa as well as the Hubert Bals Fund, the Berlinale World Cinema Fund, and EAVE. It is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution.

Jenna Bass's 'Flatland' is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us that even in the most unlikely places, there is room for adventure, self-discovery, and change.