The DVD of the vibrant musical, Sarafina! will go on sale to the public for the first time on Friday, 22 September 2006 with distribution by Impact Video. A Digitally Enhanced Director’s Cut of the film was released on 15 June this year to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976. Sarafina!, produced by Anant Singh, is directed by Darrell James Roodt and stars Leleti Khumalo, Mbongeni Ngema, John Kani, Robert Whitehead and Miriam Makeba with Oscar winner, Whoopi Goldberg.
The release of the Collectors’ Edition DVD of Sarafina! for sell-thru follows the successful cinema release of the Digitally Enhanced Director’s Cut of the film earlier this year when it was featured on the Top Ten films on release. Sarafina! holds the record of being the highest selling video of a South African Musical / Drama of All Time and the soundtrack of the film is the highest selling South African Film Soundtrack of All Time.
The Collectors’ Edition DVD includes the ‘making of’ Sarafina! – ‘From Soweto To Hollywood And Back’, the release trailer, TV spots and song selections.
Videovision Entertainment’s Director of Acquisition and Distribution, Sanjeev Singh, commented, “We are delighted to be releasing the Collectors’ Edition DVD of Sarafina! in the year we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising of 1976 which was the inspiration for the film. Sarafina! has become a historical record for the country and we are confident that the DVD will become the best selling South African DVD title of all-time.”
Commenting on the DVD release, director, Darrell James Roodt said, “Sarafina! is a tribute to the heroes of the struggle, especially those who gave their lives on 16 June 1976. Now with the film available on DVD, the public, especially the youth can appreciate South Africa’s democracy and the freedom the nation has achieved. Sarafina! is a timeless film that will always have a special significance to South Africa.”
Mr Ritchie Mohamed of Impact Video said, “We are thrilled to be distributing Sarafina! on DVD. The film is a classic of South African cinema and we believe that the Collectors’ Edition DVD is a must for every household. We have ensured that it is affordably priced (at R119.90) and that it would be widely available at all major retail outlets from this Friday, 22 September.”
Sarafina! is a Videovision Entertainment production and is distributed on DVD by Impact Video.
