Multiple international awards and recognition for Sou African short e Suit

4 November, 2016 - 08:30

The Suit, a short film based on the classic short story by Can Themba, was chosen as the winner of the Short Film Competition of the 11th edition of the Africa in Motion Scotland African Film Festival, held in Edinburgh and Glasgow from 28th October - 6th November 2016.

The festival aims to introduce Scottish audiences to the brilliance of African cinema and to overcome the under-representation and marginalisation of African film in British film-going culture. A high profile jury of Scottish and international film specialists and established African filmmakers chose the winner.

This significant achievement follows on THE SUIT winning the Audience Award at the 14th edition of the shnit International Shortfilmfestival on the 9th October 2016. The festival is headquartered in Switzerland but takes place simultaneously in Cape Town, Bern, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Hong Kong, Moscow, San Jos and New York City, bringing together more than 30,000 filmmakers and film lovers in ways rarely experienced elsewhere on the festival circuit. Over its 12 days, shnit celebrates more than 200 short films of all genres and styles and gives away US$100,000 in cash prizes.

THE SUIT was also selected from 166 submissions to open the 9th le Courts - International Short Film Festival of Mauritius / 9e edition de l' le Courts - festival international du court m trage de Maurice which ran from the 11th to the 15th October 2016. The film premiered at the MCin in Trianon, and special guests included Marjaana Sall, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, to the Union of Comoros and to the Republic of Seychelles, as well as Dick Ng Sui Wa, the president of the Mauritian Film Development Corporation. Screenings took place for large audiences at open-air venues on beaches and in town squares across the island as part of the festival.

THE SUIT, which was selected for the Oscar-qualifying Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City, marks the professional debut of screenwriter/director Jarryd Coetsee. The story takes place in 1950s Sophiatown, shortly before the forced removals. When lawyer Philemon discovers his wife Matilda in bed with a younger man, he forces Matilda to treat her lover's suit as if it were a person, with tragic consequences. The metaphor acts as a more substantial comment on the brutal effects of oppression, particularly on personal relationships, and the potential of the oppressed to become the oppressor.

The film was produced by Luke Sharland of Mandala Films in association with the National Film and Video Foundation and also benefited from a partnership with AFDA. THE SUIT stars Atandwa Kani as Philemon, Phuthi Nakene as Matilda and John Kani as Mr. Maphikela and was filmed in Sophiatown in buildings that survived the apartheid regime's demolition of the township in the wake of the forced removals. Costumes were original 1950s pieces or handmade and selected by Pierre Vienings, who was the costume designer on the Oscar-winning TSOTSI.

Director Jarryd Coetsee says: I'm humbled by the film's overwhelmingly positive reception and recognition from foreign audiences, critics and juries. I think it's a terrific testament to the outstanding work of our superb team! It's been such an honour and privilege to travel to various countries to share THE SUIT and interact with spectators who inspire me to continue doing what I love. The various festival organisers have been such charming hosts and staged such remarkable shows. THE SUIT is clearly an immensely powerful story of truly universal resonance and we look forward to championing the film further on the international film festival circuit in the new year!

THE SUIT held its African premiere at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July, where it was given a Special Mention by the jury, though it was not in competition. The film has been selected and shown at eight film festivals to date and selected for several others which will be announced at a later stage.

TEASER TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvWsGtWRiN8

OFFICIAL TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj1UZGkufvA&feature=player_embedded

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/thesuitshortfilm/

WEBSITE: http://thesuit.mandalacollective.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/mandala_films

Contact Mandala Films: info@mandalacollective.com

Please note: Mandala Films does not accept unsolicited material.

Contact Xolelwa Mayatula, Production & Development Coordinator - Fiction at the National Film and Video Foundation.

Short Films

Africa South Africa

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