Activist story alive in film
AFTER a 10-year wait‚ a film based on the execution of anti-apartheid activist Solomon Mahlangu is set to finally be released at local cinemas in March.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa confirmed late last week that the highly-anticipated film will be released across the country on March 10.
“Kalushi‚ based on the life of liberation struggle martyr Solomon Mahlangu‚ will be released on 10 March 2017‚” the minister announced recently.
But what can we expect when it finally hits cinemas and will it live up to the hype?
While we may not be able to throw the bones to find all the answers‚ here’s why we think it’s going to a winner:
It looks amazing. Unless you were one of the lucky few who have seen the film during its private screenings‚ you’ve probably only seen snippets of the film through a trailer that was released in 2015.
The trailer gives fans a glimpse into the raw emotion of the film and has been viewed over 7 500 times.
The film features some of the most talented actors in the country‚ including Thabo Rametsi‚ Gcina Mhlope and US-based actress Pearl Thusi.
Pearl will play the role of Solomon’s girlfriend‚ Brenda‚ and told ScreenAfrica that audiences can look forward to being both educated and entertained by the film.
“It’s going to educate many people who didn’t know about Solomon Mahlangu and the South African plight for freedom and the huge role that the rest of Africa played in making sure we succeeded.
“For many they will see that there was no age limit to the amount of sacrifice and pain the struggle brought and caused. The producers were phenomenal. There are also many light-hearted moments in the film‚” Pearl told the publication in an interview last year.
Kalushi will hit local screens on the back of a successful run on the international film festival circuit. The film has been shown at several prestigious film festivals‚ including the BRICS and Cannes film festivals.
The film’s Thabo Rametsi recently walked away with the Best Actor accolade at the inaugural BRICS Film Festival. Localy‚ the film won a Best Film award at the Rapid Lion Film Festival. — TshisaLive