The 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival in Manila, Philippines is featuring the first ever retrospective of South African films produced by Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment.
Among the films being featured in the Festival’s South African focus are the Oscar-nominated “Yesterday’, “Sarafina!’, “Cry, the Beloved Country’, and “Faith’s Corner’, all of which were directed by Darrell James Roodt. The festival is also screening the TRC (Truth & Reconciliation Commission) drama, “Red Dust’ directed by Tom Hooper.
Although producer Singh will be attending the Festival, Roodt is unable to attend due to his film directing commitments in South Africa.
The Videovision films selected for the festival span a period of more than 15 years and include films that were made before South Africa achieved democracy in 1994. “Sarafina!’ was made during the apartheid years while “Cry, The Beloved Country’ was the first South African film to be made in post-apartheid South Africa. “Red Dust’ is a multi-award winning film that explores the TRC that was set-up to heal the wounds of apartheid and “Yesterday’ was the first commercial isiZulu film which dealt with the HIV/Aids pandemic facing Africa. “Faith’s Corner’ explores the issues of poverty and homelessness in South Africa and is scored by the multi-award winning composer, Philip Glass.
Singh commented, “We are honoured that Cinemanila has acknowledged our work with a retrospective of our films. Videovision is delighted to be presenting these films which are unique South African stories to the Philippino audience and to share our culture and experiences.We commend the role of the South African Embassy in Manila and Ambassador Pieter Vermeulen in particular, who have been instrumental in the focus on South African film at Cinemanila.’
Amable Tikoy R. Aguiluz VI, Director of the Cinemanila International Film Festival said, “We are very excited to have the films of Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment participate in our Festival. The focus on these films strengthens the ties between South Africa and the Philippines as they showcase true South African stories and events.’
