The period drama Free State, which was produced in South Africa, has
won the Best Director award at the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) 2016 which
took place from 17 to 23 March in Egypt. LAFF 2016 marks the film’s first
appearance at an African festival.
The film premiered at the Kolhapur International Film Festival in December 2015
and has screened at a number of international film festivals since then including
Chennai International Film Festival, Bangalore International Film Festival, Sangli
International Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.
“This is a wonderful accolade, made even more special by the fact that it comes
from an African festival,’ said director Sallas de Jager.
Written and directed by Sallas de Jager, Free State is a collaboration
between de Jager’s Bosbok Ses Films and Utkarsh Entertainment in association with
Indian production company, Parnam Entertainment. Former supermodel Nicola
Breytenbach and ex-Mr South Africa Andrew Govender head up the cast which
includes South African talents Leleti Khumalo (Sarafina, Yesterday),
Deon Lotz (Roepman, Skoonheid) and Rolanda Marais
(Wolwedans in die Skemer, Ballade vir ’n Enkeling).
Free State is set in South Africa during the 1970s and tells the story of
Jeanette (Breytenbach), a beautiful open minded law student. During a summer
holiday spent with her father in the Free State, a random act of kindness by Ravi
(Govender), an attractive Indian man, sparks an unexpected love affair. Despite
being warned not to act on her feelings, Jeanette decides to pursue a secret
relationship with Ravi. When their relationship is exposed, it leads to a very tragic
turn of events.
Free State will screen next at the Garden State Film Festival which
takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA from 31 March to 3 April. Free
State is distributed by Times Media Films and will be released on circuit on
27 April 2016.
