Videovision Films for Retrospective in the Philippines

The 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival in Manila, Philippines which got underway today, will feature the first ever retrospective of South African films produced by Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment.

VIDEOVISION FILMS FOR RETROSPECTIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival in Manila, Philippines which got underway today, will feature the first ever retrospective of South African films produced by Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment. Among the films being featured in the Festival’s South African focus are Yesterday; Sarafina; Cry, the Beloved Country; Faith’s Corner all of which were directed by Darrell James Roodt and the TRC drama, Red Dust directed by Tom Hooper. Producer Anant Singh will be attending the Festival, however, director Darrell James Roodt is unable to attend due to his film directing commitments in South Africa.

The Videovision films selected for the Festival spans a period of more than 15 years and includes films that were made before South Africa achieved democracy in 1994. Sarafina! was made during the apartheid years while Cry, The Beloved Country was the first South African film to be made in post-apartheid South Africa. Red Dust is a multi-award winning film that explores the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was set-up to heal the wounds of apartheid and Yesterday which received South Africa’s first ever Oscar nomination, was the first commercial isiZulu film which dealt with the HIV / AIDS pandemic facing Africa. Faith’s Corner explores the issues of poverty and homelessness in South Africa and is scored by the multi-award winning composer, Philip Glass.

Producer Anant Singh commented, “We are honoured that Cinemanila has acknowledged our work with a retrospective of our films. We are also delighted to be presenting these films which are unique South African stories to the Philippino audience and to share our culture and experiences. We commend the role of the South African Embassy in Manila and Ambassador Pieter Vermeulen in particular who have been instrumental in the focus on South African film at Cinemanila.”

Amable Tikoy R. Aguiluz VI, Director of the Cinemanila International Film Festival commented, “We are very excited to have the films of Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment participate in our Festival. The focus on these films strengthens the ties between South Africa and the Philippines as they showcase true South African stories and events.”