South African co-production The Salvation has been selected for a Gala
Screening atthe 67th Cannes Film Festival which takes place from 14 – 25 May.
The film is a classic Western set in 1870s America and tells the story of a
peaceful American settler who kills his family’s murderer, unleashing the fury of a
notorious gang leader. His cowardly fellow townspeople then betray him, forcing
him to hunt down the outlaws alone.
Helmed by legendary Danish director Kristian Levring, the film stars European
superstar Mads Mikkelsen who is supported by a formidably talented cast
including Eva Green, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Mikael Persbrandt, Michael Raymond-
James and Jonathan
Pryce.
South Africa’s Spier Films worked with renowned Danish production company
Zentropa to set up this Danish-South African-UK co-production.
“We are very proud of this film and all the work and craftsmanship that was put
in by South African crews,’ says Spier Films producer Michael Auret. “This film is a
testament to the high quality work that South African crews can achieve in all
departments. It was a
great privilege to work on a Western which was a childhood dream of many of
us and we certainly learnt a lot from Kristian Levring’s approach ot making the
film’
The Salvation was entirely shot near Johannesburg in 2013 and involved 4
months of construction and preparation followed by a 2 month shoot.
The Gala screening will take place on 17th May.
