Bunny Chow acquired for US and Canadian distribution
Mon, 18 Jun 2007
South African indie-hit, Bunny Chow, has been acquired by the Global Film Initiative for U.S. and Canadian distribution through its Global Lens film series.
“This is great for the film to be recognized in this way,” says Bunny Chow producer, Jeremy Nathan of Dv8 Films, “Director John Barker and the team are young and talented, and The Global Film Initiative has a great release plan—the film will get excellent exposure in the US.”
The Global Film Initiative is a non-traditional film-distributor whose mission is to sponsor and support original cinematic talent from around the world. Awarding numerous grants to deserving filmmakers each year, and acquiring up to ten films annually for its Global Lens film series, the Initiative was founded in 2002 and is based in San Francisco, California.
As part of the Global Lens series, Bunny Chow will join an award-winning lineup of films from Latin America, the Middle East and Asia,
and be showcased in Global Lens 2008, which will premiere at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in January before embarking on a year-long screening-tour throughout the United States.
“Bunny Chow is a unique film,” says Santhosh Daniel, Director of Programmes at The Global Film Initiative. “It’s hip, urban and interested in a side of South African culture rarely seen by audiences, and we are excited to present it in our 2008 series.”
Bunny Chow is director John Barker’s debut feature and follows three friends (played by local comedians David Kibuuka, Kagiso Lediga and Joey Rasdien), on a raucous road-trip to South Africa’s largest music festival, Oppi Koppi. Using the street-food ‘bunny chow’ as a metaphor for contemporary Johannesburg’s mix of races, cultures and urban attitudes, the film has a decidedly South African flavor and features an original soundtrack by ‘Jo’burg’ musicians.
“I am very proud of this film,” says John
Barker, “The story is told in a deconstructed, music-driven style, which reflects the South of Africa of today.”
Bunny Chow was executive produced by Dv8 Films, and co-produced by Film I Vast, Republiken Films and SABC2. It recently screened in the Cinema du Sud programme of the Cannes Film Festival and Market and also received awards for Best Actor and Best Director during the Cape Town World Cinema Festival in November 2006. It is represented by Dv8 Films and MTV Films Europe.
