The Endle River in competition at 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 to be held from September 2 - 12 was announced at an official press conference at the Excelsior Hotel in Rome.

The 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.

The jury president for the this year's festival is Mexican director and Academy Awardwinner, 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.

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, said Hofmeyr.

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.

www.iol.co.za

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