In 1913, a secretive American millionaire who lived on the top floor of the famous
Carlton Hotel had a crazy idea: to make movies in Johannesburg. Big, huge spectacles.
Isidore Schlesinger – better known as “IW” – built a studio on a farm called Killarney,
his own Hollywood with all the glamour, gossip and high drama fitting for a city
experiencing an intoxicating golden age. From political intrigue and the clashing of
massive egos to public outbursts, fiery judicial inquiries, disaster, and death played
out on the movie screens and the sets. Behind this mad enterprise was a maverick, a
tycoon, a recluse, a friend of the famed and the connected.

Ted Botha has worked for Reuters in New York and has been published in 'The New
York Times, Esquire, The Telegraph, Condé Nast Traveler' and 'Outside'. He has
written several books, including 'Daisy de Melker and Apartheid in my Rucksack'.

Publisher: Jonhathan Ball Publishers

With: Ted Botha & Chris Broodryk

Language: English

Duration: 60 min