Zwelakhe Shangase


The countdown to the 86th Academy Awards has begun and the heat is on for South Africa, after their first big bite of the Oscars back in 2005 with Tsotsi, to secure a spot for next year.


Already things are looking great for the country following the unveiling of the Toronto International Film Festival this week with an impressive array of titles when the 38th edition of the annual showcase hit town from September 5-13.


Mzansi-produced, Nelson Mandela-inspired biopic A Long Walk to Freedom is among key contenders premiering at the festival, popularly seen as the launch pad for Oscar hopefuls.


Producer Anant Singh said he was delighted that the film was selected to be screened in Toronto, ahead of its release in South Africa on November 28.


“We are pleased to continue a 15-year association with the festival which has featured many of our productions, including Oscar-nominated Yesterday.”


Starring renowned British actor Idris Elba, the film will play alongside the long-awaited Jimi Hendrix biopic, All Is By My Side, and the true life tale of an HIV sufferer’s battle with the medical establishment in 1980s Texas, Dallas Buyyers, which resulted in the US actor Matthew McConaughey’s dramatic weight loss last year.


Another South African film which has been selected for a special screening at the festival is Of Good Report, the controversial Jahmil Qubeka’s film which was recently banned (and then unbanned) at the International Durban Film Festival for reportedly containing a scene which constitutes child pornography.


Initially refused classification by the SA Film and Foundation Board, the film tells the story of a small town high school teacher who has a strong liking for young girls.


zwelakhes@thenewage.co.za


From www.thenewage.co.za