Ster-Kinekor will release two new Afrikaans movies in June and July, Ek lief jou and Ek joke net, while Platteland and ‘n Saak van Verloof will be released later in the year.
“South Africa offers an abundance of diverse locations, competitive production costs, professional directors and a pool of talented actors and actresses: All of these factors add up to a burgeoning local film industry that is producing world class movies. It is therefore no surprise that the industry’s local talent is being recognised and promoted in a host of Afrikaans movies set to feature on the big screen this year. In addition with over 4.9 million Afrikaans speaking households in South Africa and a whopping 4.3 million living in urban areas, there is definitely a huge audience ready to watch the modern Afrikaans romantic comedy, musical and more serious pieces.”
So says Fiaz Mohamed, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, who adds, “Ster-Kinekor is in full support of this development. The modern Afrikaans movie boasts fun, romance and high profile leads that appeal to a good cross section of audiences.”
Ek Lief Jou is a heart-warming South African musical / romance directed by Ate de Jong, starring Kurt Darren, Christina Storm , Ilse de Vis and Andre Fauenstein. Ek Joke Net is a hilarious Candid Camera styled movie that promises to keep audiences in stitches. The cast of Ek joke net can be seen at the East Rand Mall on 2 July from 5pm.
According to Ster-Kinekor the recent 64th Cannes International Film Festival provided solid proof that the South African film industry, and the Afrikaans genre in particular, is becoming a force to be reckoned with, as Skoonheid, a film by South African director Oliver Hermanus, became the first Afrikaans film ever to be screened at Cannes. Skoonheid was selected for the “Un Certain Regard” section, as one of 20 films from various countries. The 64th Cannes International Film Festival took place in May and showcased a total of 49 films. Hermanus previously co-wrote and directed the award-winning drama Shirley Adams, about a destitute Cape Flats mother battling to care for her disabled son.
Mohamed concludes, “The genre of Afrikaans movie-come-musical will appeal to a wide audience and is certainly set for a successful future. With the kind of output we are seeing from Afrikaans directors, who knows, perhaps South Africa is on track to being the next Bollywood, with these Afrikaans movies taking the lead!”
Interesting facts about the Afrikaans consumer:
In the last week …
1.7 million watched a video/dvd
1.7 million read a book
1.1 million used a computer at home
Half a million played a computer/PlayStation game *
*Latest AMPS
For more information on Ster-Kinekor, visit www.sterkinekor.com
