By Nicola Van Niekerk
The true crime documentary has become a business unto itself. Our fascination with evil has become a worldwide phenomenon that drives major viewership for broadcasters and streamers alike. True crime documentaries have grown by 21% from 2020 (source: M Glance Global Audience & Content).
Everywhere you turn you find people raving about true crime podcasts that have become books, films, or successful limited series. Judging from the viewership and sales driven by this genre, it appears as if viewers are as fascinated by crime as they are scared of it.
Multichoice’s first true crime documentary Devilsdorp has secured record viewership on Showmax, even outperforming Game of Thrones on the platform. Creating a documentary about crime poses many challenges, but the reward is as big as the risk. The inspiration for Devilsdorp came from years of following the news of the bizarre cult-like Krugersdorp killings. Through the media coverage it became apparent that the story had all the elements of a strong true crime documentary; a voyeuristic look inside a cult with outlandish habits, potential satanic links, justice served, and (most importantly) the magic ingredient: gripping South African characters. From the professional journalist to the wacky reporter who fell in love with one of the murderers to South Africa’s own mullet-wearing Chuck Norris, the intrepid South African detective who meticulously slaved away to put this cult behind bars.
It is perhaps the characters in this documentary who are the most fascinating, and it is this feature that gives the South African documentary endless possibilities of telling gripping stories. The people of South Africa have faced incredible hardships, but they share an honesty and incredible sense of survival, all rooted in cultures and traditions that exist nowhere else except in the southern tip of Africa. These dynamics make for incredible tales to be told, and we have a slate of documentaries lined up that will resonate with local viewers due to the fact that they are rooted in authenticity, but also with international viewers who will be served with fresh stories wrapped in an equally fresh perspective. This slate includes documentaries that carry themes of corporate crime, female serial killers, crimes across multiple continents, and crimes that will astound and surprise viewers.
Another standout documentary from Multichoice is A Glorious Human Achievement – Nelson Mandela. This documentary provides a glimpse into his life through the voice of his long-serving personal assistant, Zelda la Grange.
There is also the Great Africans series in the MultiChoice Studios library. Featuring a range of great African leaders and thinkers who championed the causes of millions such as Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Dr Wangari Maathai (Kenya), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), and Wole Soyinka (Nigeria).
Multichoice will continue to bring true African crime stories to the screen and is currently in development on a number of exciting projects.
Watch this space!
