A screening of a new film in which the inmates of Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town star with acclaimed South African-born actress Alice Krige (Skin, Chariots of Fire), British actors Sir Derek Jacobi and Richard Clifford and celebrated South African actor/ playwright Dr John Kani will take place in Cape Town on Sunday, 4 July.
StringCeasar, which portrays the turbulent adolescence and rise to power of Julius Caesar in Rome, was also shot in two other prisons, HMP Cardiff and Brotherhood Lodge Penitentiary, Alberta.
Director Paul Schoolman, decided to tell the story of young Caesar in modern prisons as he felt that prisoners would completely relate to Caesar’s adolescence in ancient Rome’s gang ridden milieu. With the support of the Department of Correctional Services, over 100 prisoners were trained in writing, production and performance skills and played an integral part in the making of this feature film.
The cast also boasts upcoming South African actor, Warren Adler, who portrays the role of Caesar, Gretha Fox, Grant Swanby, Vaneshran Arumugam, Aletta Bezuidenhout and Bo Peterson.
The filmmakers guaranteed a substantial percentage of their potential profits from the film to aid in the establishment of a trust – StringCaesar – The Turning Point Foundation. Its goal will be to build a creative space, directed by talented artists, for the City of Cape Town’s marginalized, underprivileged and incarcerated to develop talent and skills in theatre and film arts production and performance.
An A-list guest list is expected to attend the exclusive screening at One&Only Cape Town. As part of the evening’s proceedings an auction will be held to raise funds for StringCaesar – The Turning Point Foundation.
Colin Cowie, the renowned celebrity event planner, and patron of the Turning Point Foundation, is putting the screening event and charity auction together.
Other patrons of the Foundation include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lady Fiona Montagu of Beaulieu, John Kani, Sir Derek Jacobi and Alice Krige.
