The hit South African feature film, White Wedding, is South Africa’s official selection for entry into the Foreign Language Category of the 82nd Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2010.
This was announced by the South African Academy Award Selection Committee and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) on 17 September at the NFVF’s offices in Johannesburg. If approved by the Oscars Academy Award Selection Committee, White Wedding will then represent South Africa as a nominee in its category.
Directed by Jann Turner and executive produced by renowned best-selling novelist Ken Follett, White Wedding was produced by its two stars, Rapulana Seiphemo and Kenneth Nkosi. It is described as appealing, feel-good movie about love, commitment, intimacy and friendship and a host of maddening obstacles that can get in the way of a happy ending. Uplifting and at times uproarious this is a movie that affirms the dream that romance can overcome any obstacle.
Said Nkosi: “We are thrilled, overwhelmed and Really honoured to represent our country.”
Seiphemo added: “Wow!”
The National Film and Video Foundation is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences as the body to represent South Africa and makes the submission on behalf of the South African film industry. "We are very excited that a very deserving film has been selected to represent South Africa. The film’s performance at the box office has shown that this is a film that will resonate with audiences around the world," said Eddie Mbalo, CEO of the NFVF and chairperson of the SA Academy Awards Selection Committee.
Released nationwide in April this year, the film boasts a proudly South African producing and directing team, the sound track is predominantly in languages other than English, and the key cast members, with the exception of Jodie Whittaker who plays an English character, is South African. The story is told in Afrikaans, English, Zulu and Xhosa.
The cinematographer, editor, production designer, costume designer, music composer and sound mixer are all South African nationals.
During its first week of release on circuit the film grossed over R1.1m at the box office. It has since run for 11 consecutive weeks in a total of 43 cinemas in South Africa.
During release week Turner commented: “We’ve watched every kind of local audience watching our movie, and what every screening has had in common are the smiles on people¹s faces when they leave the theatre. I am elated with the way local audiences have received the film."
Ster-Kinekor and Next Video are the distributors of White Wedding.
