Mukunda Michael Dewil is a star in Tinseltown

When I couldn't sell my movie 'Retribution' overseas , I realised to sustain a career I can't make movies nobody's going to see outside of South Africa.

For 'Vehicle 19', which stars Paul Walker, I dressed up a redemptive drama as a thriller and gave the actor real meat to play, but I also gave it a commercial edge.

The movie takes place from the inside of a car.The camera never leaves the car, except for one shot at the end. We chased a car around the streets of Johannesburg. It was a really, really tough shoot.

Walker liked Johannesburg. He loved that he could do 95% of his own stunts. The movie got good reviews and they say it's the best thing he's ever been in .

My next film, 'Drop', will star a major Hollywood star. The US vice-president comes to South Africa and goes on a cable car in Cape Town. Halfway up, the cable car comes to a stop and she's held hostage by terrorists who demand the Cullinan diamond. It's up to a climber stuck on the mountain to save the day.

They love new stuff in Hollywood. Me being South African, I get to beflavour of the month for a while.

I was hired to write and direct the Hugh Masekela film. We're writing the script now and in 2015 we'll probably start getting it cast.

• "Vehicle 19" opens at cinemas tomorrow

ON THE RADAR

TAKE IT HOME

Barry Berk's dark, intense and bleak adaptation of Alistair Morgan's novel 'Sleeper's Wake' features a standout performance from Lionel Newton in the story of a man trying to put his life back together after the death of his wife and child. Also starring Jay Anstey and Deon Lotz.

TRAILERS OF THE WEEK

After a teaser earlier this year, there's now a fuller trailer for the biopic 'Diana', starring Naomi Watts and Naveen Andrews. T he film focuses on the princess's secret love affair with heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan. It opens here in October. Then there's the new trailer for 'Winnie Mandela' (previously known as 'Winnie') starring Jennifer Hudson in the title role and Terence Howard as Nelson Mandela. The film arrives on screens later this year. Watch both on YouTube. - Tymon Smith

ON DSTV BOX OFFICE

Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins star in 'Hitchcock', a look into the director's relationship with his wife Alma. Available on DStv's PVR until September 9. - Pearl Boshomane

Barry Berk's dark, intense and bleak adaptation of Alistair Morgan's novel 'Sleeper's Wake' features a standout performance from Lionel Newton in the story of a man trying to put his life back together after the death of his wife and child. Also starring Jay Anstey and Deon Lotz.

TRAILERS OF THE WEEK

After a teaser earlier this year, there's now a fuller trailer for the biopic 'Diana', starring Naomi Watts and Naveen Andrews. T he film focuses on the princess's secret love affair with heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan. It opens here in October. Then there's the new trailer for 'Winnie Mandela' (previously known as 'Winnie') starring Jennifer Hudson in the title role and Terence Howard as Nelson Mandela. The film arrives on screens later this year. Watch both on YouTube. - Tymon Smith

ON DSTV BOX OFFICE

Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins star in 'Hitchcock', a look into the director's relationship with his wife Alma. Available on DStv's PVR until September 9. - Pearl Boshomane

ALSO OPENING

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

The umpteenth adaptation feels like an open-top bus tour, trundling dutifully past all the familiar sights. - The Daily Telegraph

GROWN UPS 2

It's not as demoralising as 'Grown Ups', mostly because we knew what we were in for, but partly because it at least embraces its awfulness. - Cinema Blend

NOW YOU SEE ME

Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher are funky magicians recruited for a bank job - but this heist caper is badly botched. - The Guardian