So proud people are watching this incredibly powerful and insightful series on NETFLIX, it's about time to understand where we come from...
It was a once in a life time opportunity to be the Director of Photography on this series.
Thank you Mama Winnie and Mandy Jacobson for entrusting me with this monumental story. May you both be resting in peace xxx
NEW WORK ALERT!!
Over 10 years in the making & it's finally here… “The Trials of Winnie Mandela” is on NETFLIX in South Africa!!
I was asked more than a decade ago to come on board as Director of Photography for this documentary series, and it remains one of the greatest honours of my career.
To spend so much time with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (“Mama Winnie” to me) — one of the most iconic, powerful and complex figures in the world — was deeply impactful. Her presence, her conviction, her contradictions, her grace… I’ve never encountered anything quite like it in all my years behind the camera.
This series was led by the extraordinary, award-winning, Mandy Jacobson, whose meticulous research, rigour, and deep humanity shaped every frame. A guiding force throughout, a constant teacher. Mandy, it is profoundly sad that you left us shortly after completing your director’s cut of what feels, unmistakably, like your magnum opus.
A personal milestone.
An honour.
Mama Winnie's life story is one of beauty and brutality, complexity and power — one that must be witnessed in its many facets to even begin to grasp the force that was Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
FUN FACT: we shot this 99% on Canon 5D MKI’s #StoryTrumpsAll !!
#thetrialsofwinniemandela
#netflixsa
#DocumentaryFilm
#SouthAfricanStories
#WinnieMandela
#WomenInFilm
#Cinematography
#AfricanFilm
#WomenInCinematography
Know Thy ADHD Self
Everything I own on set is labelled. Not because I’m organised… but because I’m not.
When I’m working, I hyper focus on the film — the story, the frame, the feeling. Not my coffee mug. Not my phone. Those things disappear into the background.
For years, I thought constantly losing things, missing calls, and struggling with time meant I was irresponsible. Since discovering in my 40s that I have ADHD (and probably always have), I’m starting to understand it differently.
What looks like distraction is often deep focus.
What looks like a weakness is actually a system — my brain prioritising what matters most to me.
I’ve learnt that many creative people work this way. We take in a lot, think in layers, see multiple possibilities at once — and our focus locks onto ideas, not objects.
So now, instead of fighting it, I work with it.
Labels included.
#ADHD #KnowThyself #CreativeProcess #Filmmaking #Neurodiversity #womeninfilm
I’ll be moderating a great panel: Frame by Frame: In focus with leading DOPS and Directors
@JBXTalks , @joburg_film_festival
Join us on Friday 6 March, at 13:00pm at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Purchase passes here: https://joburgfilmfestival.co.za/jff-festival-passes/
#JoburgFilmFestival
A bit of BTS from something I’ve been working on…“Paradys”, a brand new telenovela, @blackbrain_sa invited me to be the co-Creative Director with @mandla_n & Head Director. Honestly, you ain’t NEVA seen anything like it on screen…insanely stellar cast, storylines & realness Starts this Monday, 19h00, Mon-Fri’s, @paradys_sabc2 🎬🎥🔥✈️content creator credit brinobooy #safilm #savesafilmjobs
✨ Still taking this in… ✨
The documentary series I shot as Cinematographer has won the Prix Italia Global South Award 2025! 🏆
So proud to have been part of a project that confronts the unfinished business of apartheid — illuminating stories of justice, healing, and truth.
Grateful beyond words for the incredible team who trusted my eye and heart through this journey. 🤍
🎥 Produced by @beetzbrothersfilm (Germany), @storyscope_media (South Africa), @zdf.de , @omroepvpro & SABC
🎬 Directed by @xoliswa_sithole7 Sithole, Misha Wessel (Netherlands) & Thomas Blom (Netherlands)
#PrixItalia #DocumentaryFilm #WomenInFilm #Cinematography #SouthAfricanFilmmaker #DocLife #Storytelling #TruthAndHealing #NatalieHaarhoff #womencinematographers #africanfilmmaker
@kele1204 this popped up on my phone today…it thinks we are sisters! How lovely! We’ve sure spent some special times together with phenomenal people in beautiful places! Thank you for the journey 🫶✊👊🙌💛
Women in Cinematography presents - Her Frame of Mind with Natalie Haarhoff, SASC
“Confidence and self-belief are key - and while that may sound simple, in a world largely designed for one gender and one race to succeed, it’s anything but easy.
The way I’ve navigated this is by finding a guiding light I can return to in every moment of doubt. For me, it’s the story.
Early in my career I learned to ask every director to distill the story into one sentence. That single sentence becomes my compass - when the pressure is high and the noise is loud, I stop and ask myself: “What story are we telling?” The answer shapes everything, from lens choice to the angle of light. So find what your guiding light is, and gracefully fight to keep it shining.”
Natalie is a member of the South African Society of Cinematographers (SASC) and Women in Cinematography
#herframeofmind #womenincinematography #WiC #behindthescenes #dop #cinematographer #cinematography #southafricancrew @exposure_crew@insta_sasc
🔥 NEW WORK 🔥
My latest cinematography on 3-part international documentary series "Free At Last, the unresolved stories of Apartheid"
It truly was an honour to lens this important & impactful series, from beginning to end. @xoliswa_sithole7 you are forever my mentor, wingman & friend 🙏❤️👊
Shot on Sony FX6
Canon 'Dream Lens' 50mm
Zeiss 35mm
Canon FD 100mm
Production Companies:
@beetzbrothersfilm (Germany ) @storyscope_media (South Africa)
Directors: @xoliswa_sithole7 (South Africa) Misha Wessels & Thomas Blom (Netherlands)
DOP: @nataliehaarhoff
1st AC's: @cambaatjies@ranaa.cevikmen , @kele1204
DIT: @cambaatjies
Sound Recordist: @georgeramosime
#exposurecrew #dop #cinematographer #documentaryfilm #apartheid #southafrica🇿🇦
