Faith’s Corner, the latest film from the team of the Oscar nominated Yesterday will have its World Premiere at the Durban International Film Festival on Friday, 17 June 2005. The film, written and directed by Darrell James Roodt, stars Leleti Khumalo and is produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring with the score by multi-award winner Philip Glass. The film also introduces Sibonelo Xulu and Thobani Khubeka, two primary school children from KwaMashu whose talents were discovered while performing with a Zulu cultural group in Durban.
Faith’s Corner follows Faith and her two young sons Siyabonga and Lucky who live on the streets of modern day Johannesburg. Faith works a busy street junction begging from passing motorists. With the little money she makes she tries to raise her children as best as she can though they often go to sleep hungry and scared. Faith must not only combat the apathy of the wealthy elite that pass her everyday but also the distrust and anger of the locals.
“We are delighted to follow Yesterday with the World Premiere of Faith’s Corner at the Durban International Film Festival,” said Anant Singh. “Faith’s Corner is a film that confronts the grave social issues of poverty and joblessness that confront South African society. As filmmakers, it is important that we make films that highlight social issues. Darrell Roodt and Leleti Khumalo have done an exceptional job once again,” added Singh.
Director, Darrell James Roodt commented, “It’s great to be back at the Durban Film Festival, especially with the World Premiere of Faith’s Corner. The film is very much an experimental film, but one with a very powerful story and we are fortunate to have Philip Glass score this little film.”
Also screening in the Festival is Dollars & White Pipes, written and directed by Donovan Marsh and produced by Helena Spring of Videovision Entertainment, starring Clint Brink (Generations), is the true life story of Bernard Baaitjies who grew up in the gangland culture of the ghettoes of Cape Town. Director, Donovan Marsh, Clint Brink and Bernard Baaitjies will be attending the screening of Dollars & White Pipes on 22 June at the Festival.
Paradise Now is a fascinating and moving story about two suicide bombers and follows them in the 24 hours leading up to a suicide attack. Friends since childhood, these young Palestinians, Khaled and Said are recruited to carry out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, however things do not go as planned and have to face their destiny and their convictions on their own.
Sanjeev Singh, Head of Distribution and Acquisition for Videovision Entertainment said, “We are pleased to be supporting the Durban Film Festival once again, this time with nine films, including the opening night film, Paradise Now on Wednesday, 15 June, which will have its South African premiere at the Festival with its lead star, Kais Nashif in attendance.”
Other Videovision Entertainment films in the Durban Film Festival are:
- Red Dust, the gripping Truth and Reconciliation courtroom drama produced by Videovision and based on Gillian Slovo’s novel of the same title.
- 9 Songs, Michael Winterbottom’s (Jude) intimate film about a highly charged erotic relationship.
- Dot the I, starring Gael Garcia Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries), is a thriller that begins as a romantic love story.
- The Hamburg Cell, directed by Antonia Bird, is a psychological drama explores the lives and minds of the leading figures in the September 11 terrorist attack.
- Masai: The Rain Warriors, a magical African story of adventure and initiation.
- Mysterious Skin, from acclaimed director Gregg Araki comes this haunting tale of two young men who share an unexplained connection.
