The ENDLE RIVER

THE ENDLESS RIVER

IS THE FIRST EVER SOUTH AFRICAN FILM TO COMPETE AT THE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

The Endless River, the third film by award-winning South African director, Oliver Hermanus, made history when it was selected as the first ever South African film to compete for the top prize The Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival. The line up for Films at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival (2-12 September 2015) was announced at noon today at an official press conference at the Excelsior Hotel in Rome.

The Venice International Film Festival's main competition selection is considered, each year, to represent the greatest in cinematic achievement from around the world. Hermanus, who also penned the screenplay, becomes the first ever South African director to be included in the illustrious competition which has formerly included some of the global entertainment industry's most celebrated movies. Last year Birdman, the 2014 Academy Award Best Picture winner competed for the coveted Golden Lion prize.

Grand masters of cinema such as Jean Luc Godard, Andrei Tarkovsky, Michelangelo Antonioni, Wim Wenders and Krzysztof Kieslowski have previously won The Golden Lion . The Jury President for the 72nd edition of the festival is Mexican director and Academy Award winner, Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Children of Men).

The Endless River stars South African actress, Crystal Donna Roberts, and French actor, Nicolas Duvauchelle. Set in the small town of Riviersonderend in the Overberg region, the human drama tells the story of a French expatriate and a small town waitress who form an unlikely bond after the brutal murder of his family on a farm. Crystal Donna Roberts, in her first leading role, will also be competing for the Best Actress prize at the festival - another South African first.

With The Endless River, Hermanus reunites with producers Didier Costet of Swift Productions in Paris; and Marvin Saven and Genevieve Hofmeyr of Moonlighting Films in Cape Town, who are the producing team of his multiple award-winning Skoonheid, which had its World Premiere in Un Certain Regard competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival where it garnered critical acclaim and world attention for the local filmmaker.

We are thrilled about this prestigious selection it is a great achievement for Oliver, the entire team and the broader South African industry, commented producer, Genevieve Hofmeyr.

Other South African talent includes Denise Newman (who collaborated with Hermanus on his debut film, Shirley Adams), and Egoli veteran Darren Kelfkins.

The creative production team includes Director of Photography, Chris Lotz, Production Designer, Franz Lewis, and Costume Designer, Reza Levy. Braam du Toit composes the original score. Hermanus also edited the film.

The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided local funding.

The Venice International Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world, and is regarded as the most distinguished. It is held on the Lido in Venice and is organised and hosted by La Biennale di Venezia.

The film will be released on the South African theatrical circuit by Black Sheep FIlms.

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