‘Sarafina!’ selected for Cannes yet again
Iconic film Sarafina! has been selected for the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in France.
The film with stars like Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, John Kani, Miriam Makeba and Mary Twala among others has been selected in the Cannes Classics section.
The classics section recognises films that contributed to the evolution of motion picture arts and encouraged the development of the film industry throughout the world.
The Cannes Film Festival, which is regarded as the world’s biggest film festival, starts on May 16 and runs until
May 27. Sarafina! premiered in 1992 and is based on Mbongeni Ngema’s musical of the same title which premiered in 1987.
The plot of the story centres on students involved in the
Soweto uprising in opposing the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools.
Sarafina! is a vibrant combination of drama, music and dance.
Whoopi Goldberg said in a statement about the relevance of the film: “Keep talking to the children because they are going to fix it, they are going to make it happen, they are going to make change happen.”
TV and film star Khumalo said: “It is so exciting to be going back to the Cannes Film Festival.
“In 1992, we had a 20minute standing ovation what an amazing experience it was! I look forward to reliving that moment again this year.”
Producer Anant Singh said: “It is exciting to be returning to the Cannes Film Festival after 30 years. Being selected for Cannes Classics is a rare and coveted recognition.
“We are privileged and thrilled that Sarafina! has notched up another first by becoming the first SA film to be selected twice by the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious festival in the world.
“The world premiere in 1992 sparked a renaissance of the SA film industry.
“Sarafina!’s return to Cannes celebrates the timelessness of our stories and I hope this will motivate a new generation of filmmakers.”