South African Project The Commandments Launched at Rotterdam Cinemart 2008
During the 25th edition of international co-production market CineMart, South African public broadcaster SABC, South Africa's national funding body NFVF and international development centre Binger Filmlab will launch The Commandments; a ground breaking feature film and single play project spotlighting the new generation of South African film makers.
On Monday January 28 at 5 pm this unique project will be officially launched by the directors, producers and project partners, who are currently creating this collection of 10 films (5 feature films and 5 single plays) exploring the codes and rules which govern a culture and society. All projects are officially selected for CineMart 2008. The Commandments Launch will be hosted by Sandra den Hamer, director of the Netherlands Filmmuseum in Amsterdam.
The Commandments project has secured the very best of South African writers, directors and producers currently working at building a new national cinema. The talent assembled has been nominated and awarded worldwide and their previous work has been selected and screened at every major festival around the world. The Commandments filmmakers are:
Gilli Apter, Joseph
Matthew A. Brown, Flawed Life
Noziswe Ginindza, Marula Tree
Tristan Holmes, Hidden Garden
Norman Maake, Blood Down Claim Street
Teddy Mattera, Gees
Jean & Zinaid Meeran, Gazelle911
Akiedah Mohamed, Belly Dancing and the Art of Catching Stars on Water
Nicky Newman, Lucky Lady
Busi Ntintili & Khalo Matabane, Road to Khumbula
Kethiwe Ngcobo, SABC's Head of Drama Content Hub says about the project: "As the SABC, we are very pleased to work with our current partners, NFVF, Binger Filmlab and IFFR who together are spearheading this prestigious project. The Commandments is the first large scale fiction initiative that has been undertaken to showcase South African talent both locally and internationally. We believe this project is an ideal vehicle for those wanting to partner with South Africa."
At the moment the talents and stories are being nurtured in a custom made development process of writing labs and directing workshops in Johannesburg and Cape Town, especially created by the Amsterdam-based Binger Filmlab.
This process is already delivering a vibrant and extraordinarily diverse array of stories, tones and narrative styles, reflecting the many layers and complexities of contemporary South Africa. The films are expected to premiere in 2010, to coincide with South Africas hosting of the football world cup.
CineMart director Marit van Elshout is happy to launch the project in Rotterdam; "Having been involved with the Commandments from the very beginning, the IFFR and CineMart are very proud to present the project at the 25th anniversary edition of CineMart. For years the IFFR has had very strong links with South Africa, among others through the Hubert Bals Fund and CineMart. We consider it a great opportunity to strengthen those links and celebrate these ten South African filmmakers and their unique stories at this special CineMart. Of course we hope to be able to show the films in future editions of the festival."
Launch The Commandments, Monday January 28, 5 pm
Jurriaanse Zaal, De Doelen at CineMart 2008
For more information:
Binger Filmlab
PR & Marketing
Producer
Daan Gielis
+31 6 1015 6925
daan@binger.nl
The Commandments
Series
Jacky Lourens
+27 21 465 0044
jacky@getthepicture.co.za
