Jerusalema submitted for Oscars
20 October 2008
South Africa's Academy Award selection committee and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) have submitted South African feature film Jerusalema for consideration in the category of best foreign language film at the 2009 Oscars.
Jerusalema joins a growing list of productions that have represented South Africa at the Oscars.
Yesterday, Darrell Roodt's story of the struggles of an HIV-positive mother, and the first ever feature-length isiZulu film, was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language film in 2005. Tsotsi, Gavin Hood's gritty drama about a young gangster in Soweto, won the Oscar in this category in 2006.
Written and directed by Ralph Ziman and produced by Tendeka Matatu, Jerusalema is a compelling film that takes an unwavering and blisteringly stylized look into crime, corruption and transgressions in post-apartheid South Africa.
The film was released to critical acclaim at the end of August and continues to enjoy a highly successful run in South African cinemas. It is being distributed through United International Pictures in partnership with Metro FM and the Gauteng Film Commission.
According to NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo, the film's high production values attest to the ability of the South African film industry to meet global standards of quality in filmmaking, while retaining a distinct South African flavour that has universal appeal.
"The quality of productions and our presence globally through festivals, markets and awards is a recognition of the unparalleled growth of the industry since 1994," Mbalo said in a statement earlier this month. "This is an added incentive for local filmmakers to make the most of the opportunities presented to them."
The 81st Academy Awards will be televised live from Hollywood on Sunday, 22 February 2009.
SAinfo reporter
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