South Africa in the international spotlight
The nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards were released yesterday, with South African based films having a good showing.
District 9 received four nominations which includes; Film Editing, Best Picture, Visual Effects and Writing (Adapted Screenplay). The film cost $US30mil to produce, and has so far grossed over $US200mil.
"Every aspiring filmmaker dreams of being nominated by the Academy, but when we began making District 9, none of us dared to think that our small film, shot in South Africa, with no well-known actors, could be Oscar nominated. And honestly, if it weren't for Peter Jackson's belief in the film, we wouldn't be here today. I'm extremely gratified, excited, and humbled, and I'm also grateful to the Academy for recognizing so many of the talented people who helped make it a reality," said Neill Blomkamp, the film director.
Invictus received 2 nominations, one for Best Actor (Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela) and the other for Best Supporting Actor (Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar). Invictus was made for US$60million according to box office mojo and has grossed $53 million worldwide.
South Africa received phenomenal exposure through these films, which will continue to position the country as one of the best filming locations. Soweto, the Johannesburg skyline, rugby and terms like "Are you okay bru?", "What a doos!" are now firmly entrenched in the international entertainment and tourism industries. ……and for all the right reasons.
Source: SA Film Locations
