Phoenix Films and Valhalla Productions are excited to announce that two of their
proudly home-grown films will be screening at the renowned Richard Harris
International Film Festival in Ireland this month.
Mignon “Mossie’ Van Wyk, a treasured love story, and Siembamba,
the gripping psychological horror, will be gracing the big screens of Limerick during
the festival which plays off from 26 to 30 October 2017.
The rather dramatic contrast between these films reflects the vast diversity in which
the Richard Harris International Film Festival celebrates and welcomes entries from all
over the world.
Phoenix Films past involvement with the Festival earned them the 2016 Best Feature
Film for the film, Treurgrond, a drama surrounding farm murders in South
Africa.
Mignon “Mossie’ Van Wyk, a touching coming-of-age story narrated by the
quiet but observant sister, stars Erica Wessels (Hatchet Hour, Alles Wat Mal
Is), Deanre Reiners (Dis Koue Kos, Skat, Verskietende Ster), and
introduces Tanika Fourie.
The youth drama is achingly relatable to the way we recount our teenage years. On
the other side of the spectrum, Siembamba plays on old South African folklore, as
experienced by a girl coming to terms with motherhood and her relationship with her
own mother, while undergoing serious postpartum psychosis – or is it something else?
The film stars Reine Swart (Detour, Dominion, Jamillah and Aladdin),
Thandi Puren (Racing Stripes, Dead Easy) and Brandon Auret (Elysium,
Chappie, District 9).
Both films, as well as Treurgrond, were under the direction of the prominent
Oscar-nominated director, Darrell Roodt. Among many others, Roodt has directed
Sarafina!, Winnie Mandela, Yesterday, Little One and Cry, The Beloved
Country. This year he will be receiving the Lifetime Award from the Richard Harris
International Film Festival for his outstanding work. Also attending the trendy event
will be supporting actress for Siembamba, Thandi Puren, and producer Andre
Frauenstein.
