Sanjeev Singh, Director of Acquisition and Distribution of Videovision Entertainment announced today that Eyes Wide Open, the gay love story set in the heart of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem will have its South African premiere at the Cape Winelands Film Festival on Sunday, 21 March 2010, and a second screening on 26 March with director, Haim Tabakman attending the Festival. The Festival is currently underway in Stellenbosch and ends on 27 March. The film which was featured in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 stars Ran Danke, Tzahi Grad, Ravit Rozen and Zohar Strauss. Ran Danker’s powerful performance saw him win the Best Actor Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Palm Springs Film Festival.
Eyes Wide Open follows Aaron, a respectable butcher in Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox Jewish community, is married to Rivka and is a dedicated father of four children. One day, he meets Ezri, a handsome twenty-two year old student, and soon falls in love with him. He then starts to neglect his family and community life, swept away by his love and lust for Ezri. But guilt, torment and pressure from the community catch up with him, leading him to make a radical decision.
Commenting on the acquisition, Sanjeev Singh said, “We are pleased that the Cape Winelands Film Festival will be hosting the South African premiere of Eyes Wide Open and that the director, Haim Tabakman will be attending the Festival. The film tackles the sensitive issue of a gay relationship in a conservative and orthodox Jewish community and it has been very controversial. We will be releasing the film nationally later this year.”
Eyes Wide Open is a Videovision Entertainment release through United International Pictures (South Africa).
