Hundreds of guests crowded Nu Metro’s Il Grand cinema at Montecasino on 8 February to attend the Johannesburg premiere of the new South African film, Material, starring stand-up comics Riaad Moosa and Joey Rasdien.
Written and directed by Craig Freimond (Jozi, Gums and Noses), the film is set in Johannesburg’s Indian Muslim community and tells of a young man breaking from strict family traditions to follow his dream of making it in the challenging world of stand-up comedy.
Vincent Ebrahim (The Kumars at No. 42) plays the young man’s father. A third local comic, Nik Rabinowitz (I Now Pronounce You Black And White), also stars in the film, alongside Denise Newman (Shirley Adams).
Producers Robbie Thorpe and Ronnie Apteker were on hand at the premiere to introduce the film.
Said Thorpe: “I want to thank the entire crew and cast for their amazing support and generosity throughout the making the film. Ronnie Apteker said I wasn’t to single out anyone but I would like to single out Ronnie himself, without whom this film would never have been made.’
Apteker added: “Material is the culmination of an incredible eight-year journey. There is a whole list of people who supported the film and their names are in the credits.’
Freimond penned the script based on a story conceived by himself, Moosa, Apteker, Thorpe and Rosalind Butler.
Key credits of the film include line producer Allison Forget-Deyes, cinematographer Trevor Calverley and editor Megan Gill.
Material releases in South Africa on 17 February.
