A new South African comedy feature film, Stiff, is being co-produced by Videovision Entertainment (Yesterday, Mr Bones) and TOM Pictures, producers of the acclaimed Gums ‘n Noses, A Place Called Home and the Emmy-nominated Sorted.
Shot in Johannesburg, the film is directed by Craig Freimond, director of Gums ‘n Noses. It is produced by Videovision Entertainment’s Anant Singh and Helena Spring, together with TOM Pictures’ Robbie Thorpe. Stiff is due for release later in the year by United International Pictures (UIP).
Starring Carl Beukes, Lionel Newton, Lindiwe Matshikiza and Nick Borraine, Stiff follows James, a successful comedy writer who feels overwhelmed by crime, politics, pessimism and a feather duster salesman. When his girlfriend leaves him for a guy who he thinks is the most boring man in the world, he loses the very spark of humour which enables him to earn his living. In a madcap journey, James travels through the highways and byways of South Africa from Daspoort Rehab to Johannesburg, to try and recover his elusive sense of humour as well as his ability to love and laugh again.
Says Singh: “It’s encouraging to see that local audiences are responding very well to home-grown comedies like White Wedding. We feel Stiff is a perfect fit for South African audiences and we are confident that Craig Freimond and Robbie Thorpe will craft a fantastic film which will entertain South African audiences with their special brand of humour.”
