17 August, 2018 - 08:02
Spier Films, the award-winning South Africa production company, is proud to have two major films premiering at this year's Silwerskerm Fees, the influential annual focus on Afrikaans cinema taking place from 22 August 2018 in Cape Town.
Both Die Stropers/The Harvesters and An Act Of Defiance are European/South African co-productions that bowed earlier this year to critical acclaim and festival awards for their exploration of Afrikaner identity. Spier Film's chief executive Michael Auret says, Our aim has always been to make international quality films which are embedded as South African stories, so it's wonderful to screen at this premier showcase for Afrikaans cinema. Were very exciting to bring these films home after their praise abroad.
Die Stropers/The Harvesters, the film debut by Greek/South African writer/director Etienne Kallos, received a standing ovation at its first screening as part of the Un Certain Regard selection at this year's 71st Cannes Film Festival and has been selected for competition at Silwerskerm.
A co-production between South Africa, Greece, Poland and France, the film plays out in a white, conservative, patriarchal rural community in the Free State. A teenage Janno does not fit in and is emotionally frail. One day his fiercely religious mother brings home Pieter, a hardened orphan she hopes to save. This sets into motion a terrible power struggle between the boys.
Kallos' screenplay, which was developed both at the Cannes Cin fondation Residence program and the Sundance Screenwriting lab, was acclaimed even before the film went into production. While in development it won the Gan Foundation's Prix Opening Shot Prize for best screenplay at Cannes and the Mahindra Global Filmmaker Award at Sundance.
After its world premiere, Variety's review of the Un Certain Regard entry said the literate, sharply calibrated script - partially inspired by the Free State-oriented work of the late, celebrated African Gothic playwright Reza de Wet - is brilliantly attentive to lexical contrast and code-switching Unerringly precise casting, meanwhile, ensure that the film's milieu is as richly inhabited as it is written In a Cannes edition heavy on auspicious debuts, this is among the most excitingly complete.
Get More Film Business South Africa
Select your Membership
Kallos acknowledges de Wet as one of his greatest mentors. I first attended her class when I was 17 years old. Her plays showed me new ways to explore the South African experience, especially in the post-colonial era. Her work isn't political, but rather mythological. Some might say it's gothic. She's the one who first told me about the eastern Free State, the region where Die Stropers/The Harvesters was born as a project. I wanted to explore adolescence and tell a story about the first generation to be born completely outside of the Apartheid system How do you live with the weight of post-colonialism on your shoulders? Do we have to literally and figuratively burn the structures of our ancestors to become African?
The film, which stars Juliana Venter and Morne Visser, will be released nationwide later this year.
An Act of Defiance is Spier's other film at Silwerskwerm, with a special out of competition screening. This rousing historical drama is based on the real events of the pivotal 1963 Rivonia Trial when Nelson Mandela and his compatriots faced possible death sentences, having been charged with conspiracy to commit sabotage and treason. White Afrikaner lawyer Bram Fischer risks everything to defend the activists, all the while hiding his own ties to the resistance.
The first official Netherlands/South African co-production under the new treaty, An Act of Defiance is a political thriller full of courtroom intrigue, and a powerful exploration of the sacrifices required to stand against injustice. In addition to audience awards at the Movies that Matter and Mill Valley Film Festivals, the film scooped Best Actor and Screenplay at the Dutch Film Awards as well as Best Actress (for Antoinette Louw) and Screenplay at the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival, where it had its world premiere last year.
Writer and director Jean van de Velde says, Everyone knows Nelson Mandela, but not many people know the man who saved his life. Bram Fischer was a gentle man. He believed in the way of water, because water is stronger than rock': eventually the stone wears out. Keep talking. Mandela said about Fischer, I fought for my people, Fischer against his. That's so much harder.'
Spier Films considers both Die Stropers and An Act of Defiance as projects that are close to their mission statement, says Michael Auret: To create and support films which have the potential for both critical and commercial success internationally and at home while remaining dedicated to fostering South Africa's unique talent, stories and voices.
Embedded video for Acclaimed co-productions for Silwerskerm
Film Festivals
Africa South Africa
Joy Sapieka
joyls@mweb.co.za
+27732125492
Africa Stories
19/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith refuses to talk to Zola and to discuss the matt...
19/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
19/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimesDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the re...
19/04/2024
House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and OnaThe House of Zwide' May teasers reveal that Soka will date both Ona and Mampho and get caught. Will h...
19/04/2024
Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their loveBeer is one of the world's most popular beverages. We asked several celebrities about their favourite brews or ...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from TapsDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.t...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedd...
18/04/2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAYTaylor Swift will release her highly anticipated record The Tortured Poets Departme...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motionDon't miss Thursday, 18 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story
by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...
18/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...
18/04/2024
Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...
18/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
18/04/2024
Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one...
17/04/2024
Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?The trailer debate is on! We'd like to spark the debate What's your favourite South African mov...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeedsDon't miss Wednesday, 17 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
17/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hij...
17/04/2024
Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...
17/04/2024
Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...
17/04/2024
Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...
17/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
17/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
17/04/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
17/04/2024
Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStvRhythm World's popular telenovela Sibongile and The Dlaminis' is the most-watched TV show o...
17/04/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
16/04/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
16/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway i...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troub...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they h...
16/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...
16/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
16/04/2024
Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's fashion telenovela House of Zwide' beat Scandal!' for the first time sinc...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worr...
15/04/2024
Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
15/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save LehasaDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her missionDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scand...
15/04/2024
Christianity: Four people who claimed to be JesusChristianity is one of the world's dominant religions, with more than 80% of South Africans following this ...
15/04/2024
House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
15/04/2024
Die Antwoord's collaborators: What they're doing nowDie Antwoord is a controversial hip-hop group founded in 2008. As a duo, they've also collaborat...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with ...
14/04/2024
Afrikaans television shows make a comebackClassic Afrikaans television shows are making a comeback, according to the streaming service AfriForumTV. Here's w...
12/04/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
12/04/2024
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
17 August, 2018 - 08:02 
