The first local film releases is The Race-ist, which has been at cinemas from 1 April 2010. The movie boasts an unusual combination of South African talent including Tsotsi star Craig Palm, up-and-coming actress Nicole Smart, veteran actor Ian Roberts, Jonathan Pienaar, Strini Pillay, DJ Mark Stent, Brandon Auret, former Big Brother turned security specialist “Bad” Brad Wood and is the feature film debut for two household names: Afrikaans pop icon Kurt Darren and 5FM's DJ Fresh. The story revolves around a young boy who aspires to become the quarter-mile champ and the riotous journey he takes to achieve his dream. The Race-ist is written, directed and produced by Andrew Wilmot.
The second local offering, due for release on 14 May is I Now Pronounce You Black and White: a fun film, full of outrageous characters that will make your family look like the Brady Bunch, as true love tries to conquer all against all odds. The film is directed, written and produced by Oliver Rodger and stars Tyrel Meyer, Astara Mwakalumbwa, Ian Roberts, Bo Petersen and Nic Rabinowitz.
Next up on the local scene is Egoli: Geheime Dieper as Goud , which will be at cinemas on 16 June. The film is produced by Franz Marx and stars some of the cast from the well-known and loved local soapie.
Last, but certainly not least, is the eagerly awaited Spud. Spud: The Movie takes place in South Africa during the early 1990s and chronicles John “Spud” Milton's first year at an elite, boys-only private school. Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has to forge a new life for himself in this foreign and sometimes hostile environment. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the cricket field, from ghost busting to teacher baiting. He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.
Production of the film version got underway at Michaelhouse in the KZN Midlands earlier this month and features some of SA's top talent, including Troye Sivan as Spud, model and actress Tanit Phoenix as Eve, stage and screen star Jason Cope as the vindictive housemaster Sparerib and veteran British star John Cleese as The Guv.
Based on South Africa's favourite book by John van der Ruit, Spud: The Movie will be released by at the end of 2010 in time for the December holidays.
“It is so encouraging to see how the local film industry is developing,” said Debbie McCrum, GM of Nu Metro Films. “There is a definite trend within the local filmmaking community towards making commercial films that appeal to a broad South African audience, and we are thrilled to be a part of this burgeoning industry.”
