MTV "eats up" Bunny Chow

5 Sep 2006

LONDON: MTV Films Europe (MTVFE) is boarding the South African film "Bunny Chow" by John Barker as co-producers and will assist Dv8 Films, through its new sales arm, Deviant Selling, in handling world sales. MTV will also provide a global marketing platform for the film in the territories it is released in.

Comments Alex Okosi, VP and GM, MTV Networks Africa, "Tsotsi put South African cinema firmly on the map and gave a great boost to the SA movie industry. By putting MTV's weight behind independent film-makers like John Barker and quality projects like Bunny Chow, we hope to bring African film-makers and films to even greater worldwide attention and commercial success."'

Bunny Chow is a contemporary urban South African tale about young people and their journeys to self discovery, self destruction, self delusion and a good dose of selfishness. Directed by John Barker, and written by Barker and David Kibuuka, Bunny Chow follows the raucous and often ridiculous journey of three stand-up comedians as they make their way to a popular rock concert, OppiKoppi. Along the way we get to indulge in their trails and tribulations, and generally unsuccessful attempts at relationships with women.

Starring some of South Africa's funniest stand-up comedians the film is based on a story by Kibuuka, Barker, Salah Sabiti and Joey Rasdien. Bunny Chow also stars the increasingly popular Kim Engelbrecht. It is produced by Kagiso Lediga and Leanne Callanan of Dog Pack Films, and Michelle Wheatley of Dv8 Films.

Says Bobby Allen of MTVFE, "It is a perfect fit for our brand and youthful demographic. It is a breath of fresh air, at once cool, hip and very now! We are thrilled!"

"MTV are the perfect partner, we want to reach kids all over the world, and who better to help us do this than MTV?" say Barker and producer Kagiso Lediga.

The film is co-produced by Film I Vast and Republiken Films in Sweden, and SABC2. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Ster-Kinekor Distribution, Magus Visual, Terraplane, and Ministry of Illusion (MOI) are also partners on the project.

The feature film will be released in South Africa by Ster-Kinekor Distribution in February 2007.

Bunny Chow will have its world première in the new Vanguard Program on 11 September. Vanguard showcases films that are stylistically bold, structurally playful and appeal to adventurous, risk-taking audiences.

Bunny Chow has also been officially selected to participated in this year's Toronto International Film Festival, running from 7 - 16 September 2006.