VIDEOVISION ENTERTAINMENT DRAWS FIRST BLOOD AT SOUTH AFRICAN FILM MARKET

Cape Town: Videovision Entertainment, Bioskope Pictures and Revolution Films inked the first co-production agreement of the 3rd Annual South African Film & TV Market here last night. The film production companies announced that they will jointly finance the independent South African feature film, Pure Blood which also received production grants from the South African Department of Arts and Culture. Pure Blood is written by Kenneth Kaplan and also marks his feature film directorial debut.

This deal, which was negotiated over the last few days by Sanjeev Singh andSudhir Pragjee for Videovision Entertainment, Kenneth Kaplan for Bioskope Pictures and David Heitner for Revolution Films, sends out a strong message to independent film producers that funding is available for the SA film industry. Kenneth Kaplan said, “Putting this deal together, would have been impossible without key industry players coming to the table and lending their unqualified support for what I believe is a new wave of independent SA films. I hope that our filmmakers are ready to step up to the plate and whack some home runs.”

Anant Singh, commented, “Our involvement in Pure Blood is a continuation of an on-going relationship with Kenneth Kaplan who has directed documentaries and short dramas for my company. He is an extremely talented filmmaker, hence our support for his debut feature film. We are committed to producing low budget films alongside the big films.”

Production on Pure Blood is set to begin in early 1999 and the film will be ready in time for next year’s Market in November. Pure Blood is co-produced by Revolution Films and supported by the Film Fund of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.

Themba Wacashe, Chief Director of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology commented, “The Department’s film development strategy is finally bearing fruit and this is proof that we are moving in the right direction. The grants to filmmakers by the Department is producing theright results.”

David Heitner of Revolution Films, said, “We regard Ken Kaplan as one of the top emerging directors in the country and have every confidence in the delivery of superb motion picture.”

Videovision Entertainment has a strong commitment to the South African film industry, having produced over 30 films in the country, some of them with co-production partners. Last night Videovision hosted the Film Market Co-production Dinner at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel at the Cape Town Waterfront.

Anant Singh has the motion picture rights to Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom which is currently in pre-production, with principle photography due to begin in March next year. The film is the most ambitious South African feature film project ever and will be directed by Shekhar Kapur (Bandit Queen, Elizabeth) and is written by William Nicholson (Nell, Shadowlands, Sarafina!).

For further information:

Nilesh Singh (031) 204-6050 (T) or nilesh@videovision.co.za

Kenneth Kaplan 083 453-5521 or bioskope@icon.co.za