In 2007, Ellen Pakkies used a rope to strangle her 20-year-old drug addict son to death.
A new film, Ellen: the Ellen Pakkies Story, tells her story in all its complexity.
The film, which premieres on 7 September nationwide at major theatres, was directed by Daryne Joshua.
The Lavender Hill resident and mother received a three-year suspended sentence and 280 hours of community service for her son's murder.
The film depicts her son Abie's downward spiral and the impact that addiction has on families.
Read also: 'I thought he was going to rape me' - Ellen Pakkies on killing drug addict son
Pakkies shared some of her story with a live studio audience hosted by CapeTalk presenter Pippa Hudson.
Film director Daryne Joshua, and lead actor Jarrid Geduld (who plays Abie Pakkies) discuss the production and preparation involved.
When he turned 13 or 14, that's when tik came into his life.
— Ellen Pakkies
Every day and night I had to leave my house open for him to walk in and out. I was not sleeping.
— Ellen Pakkies
It was his own brother who introduced tik to him.
— Ellen Pakkies
"This issue is universal, not just on the Cape Flats. I initially turned the job down [to direct] because I didn't want to present another negative coloured narrative. But meeting Ellen changed my mind" @EllenPakkies director @DaryneJ #EllenPakkies pic.twitter.com/qRySJ6rGDG
— CapeTalk on 567AM (@CapeTalk) September 7, 2018
"My son was a very sporty boy, Energetic and full of life. I couldn't of asked for a better son," - Ellen on her son Adam before his struggle with addiction took over his life @EllenPakkies #EllenPakkies
— CapeTalk on 567AM (@CapeTalk) September 7, 2018
"I had to isolate myself and breathe him [Abie] to get into character, I had to isolate myself but in a healthy way. It wasn't easy," - @EllenPakkies lead actor @JarridGeduld #EllenPakkies
— CapeTalk on 567AM (@CapeTalk) September 7, 2018
Watch the trailer below:
Ellen ,Die Storie Van Ellen Pakkies Official Trailer from schalk-willem on Vimeo.
Listen to a discussion about the film and Ellen Pakkies as she shares her story:
![[LISTEN] Discovery Health defends decision to shift certain ops to day hospitals](https://cdn.primedia.co.za/primedia-broadcasting/image/upload/fl_progressive,q_80/c_fill,g_faces,h_148,w_233/lczbpdaig4nx4y37mqla.jpg)
