On 30 September 2014, Ntshavheni wa Luruli’s film, Elelwani, was confirmed as South Africa’s official entry into the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Annual Academy Awards. The South African Academy Award Selection Committee and the National Film and Video Foundation made the announcement after much deliberation.
Based on the novel by Dr. Titus Maumela, the film – produced by Florian Schattaue, directed by Ntshavheni wa Luruli and distributed by Indigenous Films – tells the story of Elelwani and her boyfriend who return home after university to tell Elelwani’s family of their plans to marry and travel the world together. They are met with major challenges, as her father wants her to be the wife of the local king. The film, which explores the Tshivenda culture in detail stars Florence Masebe, Vusi Kunene and Ashifashaba Muleya.
Elelwani first premiered at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), thereafter it made the official selection at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, the Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou and the Luxor International Film Festival in 2013. Additionally, at the African Movie Academy Awards the film took home the award for best production design and Florence Masebe won the award for best actress in a leading role.
The South African Academy Award Selection Committee Chairperson, Kimberleigh Stark, said that the judges were unanimous in their choice of the film. “The film is one of a kind, it is beautifully told, explores Tshivhenda cultural values that have not been given attention in South Africa before, in addition Elelwani is a breath of fresh air, original and engaging. The film has the best cinematography coupled with high production quality, “said Stark.
Should the Oscars Academy Award Selection Committee nominate Elelwani as a South African entry, it will join award-winning Tsotsi and previously nominated Yesterday as South African films that have been represented at the Oscars. If approved the film will represent South Africa as the nominee for the 87th Oscars to be held in 2015.
