Afrikaans-language films Musiek vir die Agtergrond (Background Music) and
Verraaiers (Traitors) won several major awards at the recent Indian
International Film Festival of South Africa (IIFFSA) awards ceremony held in
Johannesburg. Indian and South African filmmakers were honoured for their
work in films released in the past 12 months.
Sallas de Jager of South African production company Bosbok Ses Films won the
Best Director: South Africa award for his work on Musiek vir die Agtergrond and
John-Henry Opperman took home the Best Actor: South Africa award, for his lead
role in Musiek vir die Agtergrond.
Verraaiers won Best Film: South Africa and was written by De Jager and directed
by Paul Eilers. Jay Anstey won Best Actress: South Africa for her performance in
Sleeper’s Wake.
Now in its second year, IIFFSA is an annual film festival aimed at promoting the
exchange of contemporary and cultural ideas, friendship and social development
through the medium of cinema.
According to Rajiv Terwadkar, one of the festival organisers, the prime objective
of IIFFSA is to bond Indian and African cultures through the world of cinema.
De Jager said: “It’s a humbling experience to be rewarded for your work by a
panel of judges comprising Bollywood actors, directors and festival programmers.
It just goes to show that universal stories will touch people all over the world
and that South African stories should be seen more often internationally.”
