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An apartheid-era Romeo and Juliet story called Free State has continued its surprise international winning streak. The film, about an Afrikaans woman who falls in love with an Indian man in the 1970s, last night picked up the best cinematography award at the Garden State Film Festival in New York.
“Surprised,” is how producer Piet de Jager described his emotions when City Press called him this morning.
“When you enter international competitions you never expect to win, so we’re surprised ... and thrilled that our director of photography Tom Marais has been singled out.”
Free State recently also won the best director award at the Luxor African Film Festival. It was written and directed by Sallas de Jager.
The illicit lovers are played by “former supermodel” Nicola Breytenbach and ex-Mr South Africa Andrew Govender. The film also stars Leleti Khumalo (Sarafina, Yesterday, Invictus).
Breytenbach’s character Jeanette loses her mother and Khumalo raises her as her own. Her father, played by Deon Lotz (Skoonheid/Beauty), is the local minister – and between them they must deal with the realities of the Immorality Act, which made their love illegal.
Free State is a collaboration between De Jager’s Bosbok Ses Films and Utkarsh Entertainment in association with Indian production company, Parnam Entertainment.
It will be released locally on April 27.
