Hilary Swank is brimming over with puppy love – all because of a stray dog she fell in love with while shooting Red Dust in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Swank was so taken with the pooch that she made arrangements to take the dog, which she names Karoo, back to the United States.
These days, Swank is seldom seen without Karoo. During a recent day-long fashion photo shoot for Italian Vogue in Manhattan which ended in an interview with USA Today journalist, Donna Freydkin, Freydkin observed Swank curling up in a chair in the kitchen of the photographer’s studio with Karoo in her arms. The dog sighed contentedly and promptly went to sleep as Swank gently stroked the dog’s head.
Speaking about Karoo, Swank said, “The Karoo is part of the South African countryside. I found Karoo while on location there with Red Dust – totally flea-ridden, starving, ticks in ears, the whole thing! So I brought her back with me. When I find a stray animal, it doesn’t matter where it comes from if it means saving its life. Karoo is a good girl and she’s become so famous!”
Red Dust opened in South Africa to rave reviews today with The Daily Sun saying “Red Dust is a searing, frank, potent exploration,” while The Citizen declared, “Red Dust heightens the quality of filmmaking in South Africa. Its gripping tale neither forgives nor resolves. Rather, it stirs the soul”. The Star called Red Dust “a diamond in dust” and the Daily News said, “Red Dust is undoubtedly an eye-opening offering,” and the Sowetan proclaimed, “Red Dust is a powerful film… the audience will be moved,” the Cape Times said, “Actors shine in engaging thriller” and The Argus said, “Nothing dusty about this shining South African Film” while Die Burger stated, “Actors display emotionally filled roles with great success”.
Directed by Tom Hooper and written by Troy Kennedy-Martin (Italian Job, Bravo Two Zero), Red Dust is a Distant Horizon and BBC Films production in association with Videovision Entertainment and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd and is produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, David M. Thompson and Ruth Caleb and executive produced by Sanjeev Singh, Sudhir Pragjee and Joe Oppenheimer. Red Dust was shot in South Africa on location in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape and in Johannesburg.
Red Dust opened across South Africa, today (6 May 2005) and was released by United International Pictures (South Africa) for Videovision Entertainment.
