The upcoming docuseries titled Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster will premiere exclusively on Showmax on 18 October 2023, with new episodes every Wednesday.
By Helena Olori
South Africa’s film industry is replete with the crime-fiction genre, but the Cape Town-based director and cinematographer, Jasyn Howes, is taking a microscopic approach to spotlight the “murder and organised crime situation” in the country.
Howes’ new true-crime docuseries, Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster tells the story of a South African serial killer, Stewart Wilken, and features descriptions of his crimes in his own words.
The five-part Showmax Original documentary takes viewers back in time to the 1990s, a pivotal period in South Africa, marked by the unbanning of the African National Congress and Nelson Mandela’s release after 27 years. As the country celebrated this historic event, Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken began his killing spree in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha.
(Read also: Strong Studios Announces TV Adaptation of South African Bestselling Crime Novel, Piranha)
“Wilken was a highly unusual serial killer”, says director Jasyn Howes, “Unlike most serial killers, he had more than one type of victim: predominantly female sex workers and young boys, usually street children, across multiple races. He also claimed to engage in necrophilia and cannibalism with his victims.”
Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster is rated 18+. “Even if you are over 18 and a fan of true-crime documentaries, we strongly advise viewer discretion”, says Allan Sperling, executive head of content at Showmax.
(Read also: Nigerian-British Filmmaker, Emily Nkanga, Makes Directorial Debut with Reaching For Gold)
Jaysn Howes is an award-winning cinematographer and director best known for his short films which have earned him acclaim locally and internationally, especially at festivals in the UK, USA, and Europe. He won Best SA Short Documentary at the Jozi Film Festival for Dula. The upcoming docu-series, produced and directed by him, is his first long-form limited series.
Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster will premiere exclusively on Showmax on 18 October 2023, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Watch the trailer here.