By Gift Ndowlane
The highly-rated Noem My Skollie (Call Me Thief) currently on circuit in local cinemas has been nominated as South Africa’s official selection to the Academy Awards.
It is nominated in the category for the Foreign Language Oscar at the awards set for the United States in February.
The special jury convened by the National Film and Video Association (NFVF) announced the nomination.
According to NFVF, competition this year for the coveted nomination to represent South Africa was intense.
The producers are thrilled with the nomination and confident that it will earn the Academy award.
“The greatest affirmation an artist can get is from their own tribe. We are ecstatic to have this affirmation,” says Moshidi Motshegwa, co-producer.
She produced the film with David Max Brown. It was financed by the NFVF, kykNET, Mnet and distributed by Ster Kinekor Entertainment.
To date, the film has been seen by over 32 000 people in South Africa.
“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.
Film Director, Daryne Joshua, says the reception by audiences around the country continues to surprise them.
“We are overwhelmed by the honour of representing our country. Is met ‘n salute ja! (With a salute yes!).”
Brown rates the production highly.
“If you took films such as Shawshank Redemption, Tsotsi and City of Gold and roll them into one movie that would best describe Noem My Skollie in terms of the cinematic quality and great night out,” says Brown.
The film tells the story of a young man in 1960s 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 has received incredible reviews and ratings from movie critics since its release on September 2. – CAJ News
