John Barker’s Bunny Chow which opens on the South African circuit on 9 March recently had its European premiere when it competed in Rotterdam Film Festival’s TIGER Awards.
It so impressed audiences that it was snapped up for a UK distribution deal which will see the comedy screened in London and across Britain.
Says Jeremy Nathan, the film’s executive producer: “Rotterdam was really good for Bunny Chow in terms of deals. The film secured a UK distribution deal with the company Dogwoof. The film will have a theatrical release in London and key cities across the UK. We aim to release the film towards the latter part of the year. Dogwoof is a passionate company and has the right fit for our film. Several other deals are currently being closed.’
“The film is really inventive,” Dogwoof managing director Andy Whittaker said. “It’s unique and is indicative of the emerging talent coming from South Africa.” He added that he was very pleased to have acquired Bunny Chow, and was looking forward to working with Jeremy Nathan on the release.
Bunny Chow has already played successfully at the Toronto International, American Film Institute (AFI) Festival in Los Angeles and won Best Actor and Best New Director at Sithengi in November last year.
Directed by John Barker, and written by Barker and David Kibuuka, Bunny Chow follows the raucous and often ridiculous journey of three stand-up comedians as they make their way to a popular rock concert, Oppikoppi. Along the way we get to indulge in their trials and tribulations and generally unsuccessful attempts at relationships with women. Bunny Chow is a contemporary urban South African tale about young people and their journeys to self discovery, self destruction, self delusion and a good dose of selfishness.
It stars Kagiso Lediga, David Kibuuka, Salah Sabiti, Joey Rasdien and Kim Engelbrecht.
The film is co-produced by Film I Vast and Republiken Films in Sweden, and SABC2. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Ster-Kinekor Distribution, Magus Visual, Terraplane, and Ministry of Illusion (MOI) are also partners on the project. Dv8 Films’ new sales entity, Deviant Selling, together with MTV Films Europe, is handling worldwide sales. Virgin Mobile, strong believers in the power of laughter, is also supporting the campaign and locally produced films. Nelson Mandela Square is hosting the Joburg premier.
See www.bunnychowmovie.com and www.dv8.co.za
