A huge congratulations are in order. Local film ‘Noem My Skollie’ has officially been chosen as the South African entry for the 2017 Oscars. The special jury convened by the National Film and Video Foundation announced that the film has been nominated as South Africa’s official selection to the 89th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in the category for Best Foreign Language Film Award.
“We are proud that after a rigorous judging process, Noem My Skollie, is nominated as the official selection for the 89th Annual Academy Awards,” NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi said. “This is indicative of the role that the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) plays in empowering, and transforming the film industry by taking South African stories from our streets to the world.”
“Noem My Skollie’s great Box Office performance has now been crowned with the nomination as South Africa’s entry into the Oscars, we are extremely proud to have been part of getting this amazing film on to SA screens and are excited about the continued potential in our market and on the global stage”, says Mario Dos Santos, Chief Executive Officer – Ster Kinekor Entertainment revealing that 32 000 people around the country have seen the film.
“Noem My Skollie has been a project close to our hearts and M-Net and kykNET are incredibly proud of every single person who has brought this authentic South African story to life,” says Jan du Plessis, Director: M-Net Channels. “What makes it even more special, is that this moving film is the work of a first time director and that the story is rooted in the true-life experiences of the screenwriter. It’s a film the world needs to see.”
I’ve already raved about the film (read my review here) which is about a young man in 1960’s Cape Town who ends up in jail and barters his skills as a storyteller in order to avoid being forced into the number gangs. It is based on the life of the scriptwriter John W. Fredericks who is now 70 years old. This is a heart-lifting story of redemption that sends the audience on an action filled roller coaster with a massive emotional impact. It is a film that delves with great authenticity into the culture of the coloured people of the Western Cape but it is a film for all South Africans to enjoy regardless of colour, creed or language.
This is a huge deal and I can’t think of a better film to represent South Africa at the Oscars. A huge congratulations to the entire cast and crew involved in this spectacular film.
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