Lights, camera, action! Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem kick off filming for Sean Penn's romantic drama The Last Face in Cape Town

By Kate Thomas

Published: 08:38 EST, 1 August 2014 | Updated: 20:04 EST, 1 August 2014

They only touched down in South Africa last week.

Yet filming has already commenced for Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem on romantic drama The Last Face, which is being directed by the 38-year-old actress' rumoured fiancé Sean Penn.

The Young Adult star was seen climbing out of a 4x4 as she arrived on set, laden with a heavy bag.

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Ready for action: Charlize Theron prepared for a busy day of filming on the set of The Last Face in Cape Town

Ready for action: Charlize Theron prepared for a busy day of filming on the set of The Last Face in Cape Town

Make-up free Charlize wore her short blonde locks tied back in a casual ponytail and wrapped up warm in a black leather jacket and a scarf as she arrived on location.

The A-lister completed the look with printed trousers and a denim shirt as she hurried off to hair and make-up.

Following behind her, a bearded Javier was dressed down in a black T-shirt, blue jeans and a casual jacket, with a backpack slung over one shoulder.

The Last Face: Javier will play a charming doctor working in a tough political climate

The Last Face: Javier will play a charming doctor working in a tough political climate

This marks the first time Sean has stepped behind the camera since his 2007 critically acclaimed directorial debut, Into the Wild.

The Last Face sees Charlize play a relief worker who undertakes humanitarian operations  in Africa amidst violent political conflicts in the region.

Javier stars as a charismatic medic who must choose between romance with her and his lifelong work.

French actress Adele Exarchopoulos, who rose to international prominence thanks to her racy role in Cannes Palme d'Or winner Blue Is the Warmest Colour, joins the cast as a journalist.

Meet and greet: Javier and Charlize caught up with the film crew as they checked into the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town last week

Meet and greet: Javier and Charlize caught up with the film crew as they checked into the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town last week

Sean and Charlize have been dating for eight months and will reportedly tie the knot in her native South Africa this summer.

The Young Adult star - who has two-year-old son Jackson - did nothing to dispel the rumours when she was pictured with a diamond ring on her left hand as she made her way through LAX on Wednesday last week, according to the New York Daily News.

Alhough the couple haven't been together for long, they have been friends for 18 years.

A source told the publication:  'Charlize has seen Sean grow up. He's a wiser soul and much more patient. They're looking to the future with a lot of hope.'

Perfect pairing: Charlize and Sean were last seen in public together at the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall Winter 2014 show in Paris last month

Perfect pairing: Charlize and Sean were last seen in public together at the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall Winter 2014 show in Paris last month 

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