The South African produced, award-winning drama ‘Good Life’ is now streaming on Netflix Africa.
Written, produced and directed by Bonnie Rodini, ‘Good Life’ is loosely based on her own life story. The film is self-financed and marks Rodini’s directorial debut. Rodini Films (The Story of an African Farm starring Richard E Grant) and Barry Strick’s Inverse Films served as producers. The film was shot during the pandemic.
‘Good Life’ is a charming story set in Cape Town and Greece, and follows thirty-something Olive Papadopoulous, an oral hygienist, who flees Cape Town for small town Greece to escape a broken heart. Instead of being welcomed with open arms, the villagers are hostile towards her, making her life miserable. Enter 7-year- old Albanian refugee Jetmir, who, for a 10% commission, becomes her guide, negotiator and best friend. He also teaches her how to live ‘the good life’.
‘Good Life’ was something of a darling on the international festival circuit in 2021, won best film at the Berlin and Toronto Independent Film festivals, Best film at Across the Globe New York, Award winner at the Global Film awards Los Angeles, Semi Finalist in Madrid, Best Actress Euro Film Geneva, Nominee Toronto Film Awards, Official selection Chelsea Film Festival and Sydney Women’s International Film Festival.
“We are very proud of the success that Good Life has achieved on the international stage,” says Rodini. “While we always knew that we had something very special in this little film, we have been overwhelmed by the accolades it has received. It is thrilling to know that Netflix will make the film available to audiences across Africa.”
Shot entirely on location in and around Cape Town, the film stars Erica Wessels (I Am All Girls-Netflix, Primeval), Robyn Scott (After Life of The Party-Netflix, AMC Network’s Acorn TV Series Recipes for Love and Murder), Leon Clingman (The Mauritanian, Syfy Series Vagrant Queen) and Sven Ruygrok (PBS Series Around the World in 80 Days).
‘Good Life’ is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution in South Africa.
