South Africa’s official selection to the 91st Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) Best Foreign Language Film
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture is proud to announce Sew the Winter to My Skin as South Africa’s official entry for the 91st Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The NFVF assembled a South African Academy Awards Selection Committee, comprising of professionals from the various fields of the filmmaking value chain. The committee sat over two days to view the 4 films submitted and ultimately selected Sew the Winter to My Skin.
Written and directed by Jahmil X.T Qubeka, Sew the Winter to My Skin, explores the true myth of legendary black rebel folk hero, John Kepe. In the rural Great Karoo region, the bandit John Kepe terrorises white farmers, stealing their livestock and supplies to give back to his impoverished community. General Botha, an embittered World War II veteran, becomes obsessed with the capture of the notorious Kepe and leads an epic manhunt for him through the mountains, where he is rumoured to occupy a mysterious cave. Evading capture for over a decade, outwitting Botha and the settlers, John Kepe’s raids become ever more brazen and his escapes from the authorities ever more daring.
The outlaw’s legend grows in the hearts and minds of the poor and marginalised indigenous population, and the self-proclaimed “Samson of the Boschberg Mountains” emerges as both an enigma to his pursuers and a romantic object of adoration for his fellow victims of oppression.
With John Kepe’s very existence representing a threat to the inevitable march of colonial displacement, the hunt to capture and kill the outlaw reaches a desperate crescendo, and his mythological status as a hero and symbol of resistance is cemented forever.
Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H13_itl0Q4
The committee applauded the film as an unmistakeable bold, South African voice that tackles historical and contemporary issues, in both South Africa and the world. Global audiences will be able to resonate with the story while being taken on a skilfully crafted cinematic and musical journey. The director’s choice of minimal dialogue is both visionary and bold, a true testament of utilising music, performance, and visual cues to engage audiences.
The film made its world premiere earlier this month during the Toronto International Film Festival (tiff) and will make its local premiere at the Cape Town International Film Market and Festival.
Johannesburg audiences can catch the film at Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau Rosebank Mall, from today until the 27th of September 2018, as part of the Oscar-qualifying submission cinema run.
The NFVF and the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee wishes the team behind the film the best of luck.
