Permanent Collection

Zee Ntuli & Friends Mark African Time for Castle Milk Stout

Posted on Friday, July 10, 2026

Capetown filmmaker Zee Ntuli spins together the talents of DOP Julian Robinet and VFX artist/editor Blake Prinsloo for a poetic and heartfelt interlude disguised as a commercial for South African Breweries’ Castle Milk Stout.

Produced by Darling Films thru South African agency Joe Public, the spot uses understated performance framed by time lapse, long exposures, artful stills photography (by Ross Garrett), surgical editing, and ethereal VFX to make the point that African time is “about spending time with loved ones, doing meaningful things, and being present in the moment.”

Images

A black and white photo shows a boxer in motion, captured in three overlapping positions as he throws a punch against a dark background—a powerful visual that evokes the enduring spirit of "African Time," reminiscent of Zee Ntuli’s cinematic storytelling. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A man in a suit runs down the middle of a busy city street, holding a briefcase—a scene reminiscent of Zee Ntuli’s "African Time." Cars are parked along both sides, and tall buildings line the street. The image, rendered in black and white, captures the urgent pace of urban life. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Black and white photo of a woman with long braids, eyes closed and smiling, wearing a light shirt and a jacket, with a blurred, dreamy double exposure effect—a visual reminiscent of African Time in the cinematic style of Zee Ntuli. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A black and white photo shows drummer Zee Ntuli in motion, creating a ghostly, multi-armed effect as they play a snare drum with blurred drumsticks and dynamic movement against a dark background—a visual rhythm celebrating the spirit of African Time, much like the smooth richness of Castle Milk Stout. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A person floats on their back in calm water, head tilted upward. The scene is blurred, with distorted reflections of white shapes above and abstract light and shadows on the water’s surface—evoking the dreamlike atmosphere seen in the Castle Milk Stout African Time commercial by Zee Ntuli. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Credits

Client: Castle Milk Stout

Agency: Joe Public
Group CCO: Pepe Marais
CCO: Xolisa Dyeshana
ECD: Martin Schlumpf
Art director: Janneke Van Zyl
Senior copywriter: Vuyani Plata
Senior integrated producer: Di Cole

Production: Darling Films
Director: Zee Ntuli
Stills director: Ross Garrett
EP: Melina McDonald and Lorraine Smit
Producer: Thandeka Mahuma
Cinematographer/DOP: Julian Robinet
Director’s assistant: Siya Xaba
Additional footage: Siya Xaba
Production manager: Vasilea Ackermann
Production coordinator: Tebogo Mhlauli
Production art director: Amber Geldenhuys
Wardrobe stylist: Neo Serati
1st AC: JP Turvey
1st assistant director: Travis Nel
Key grips: Riaan Hanekom
Gaffer / lighting: Dave Howe
Sound operator: Lebogang Nkoana

Edit: Post Modern
Offline editor: William Kalmer

Post production: Blake VFX
Grade: Terry Simpson
Online artist: Blake Prinsloo

Music: Chris Snyman
Sound designer: Chris Snyman

Recording studio: Tiger Fight
Sound engineer: Chris Snyman

Cast: Thabo Bopape, Edward Nkhumishe

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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