Soweto Blaze’, the hilarious new South African stoner-action-comedy feature is set to premiere globally on Netflix on April 20th, international ‘Weed Day’.
Written and directed by Bradd Katzen (The Domestic, uBettina Wethu), ‘Soweto Blaze’ is produced by Sibisiso Ngobeni (Gauteng Maboneng season 3, Gospel Gold), Shaun Naidoo (The Domestic, The Beginning), Lungelo Nxele (Kick@It) and Brad Katzen, with cinematography by Sanele Mgobhozi (The Wife, Skeem Saam) The film marks the final in a slate of 6 micro budget projects supported through a joint film-fund by Netflix and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport Arts and Culture of South Africa. The fund aim was to alleviate the pressure filmmakers face to raise additional funding and boost recovery of the creative industry from the pandemic, whilst ensuring job creation.
‘Soweto Blaze is a unique take on a familiar story involving a down-on-his luck marijuana dealer yearning to get out of the drug business and start a better life for himself. Mo dreams of ditching the weed trade to following his true passion – selling organic foods. Unfortunately, he is constantly harassed by Thabo, a corrupt cop who extorts him for money in exchange for not busting him for selling pot.
When Dill and Pickle, two stoner friends of Mo’s decide on a whim to kidnap Thandi, a local gangster’s daughter, hoping her dad will pay a tidy ransom for her, they decide to stash her at Mo’s house. From there things spiral out of control as Mo is reluctantly pulled into his friends’ dim-witted scheme and forced to watch over this feisty young woman, who will do whatever it takes to escape!
The film showcases aspirational characters who are eager to better themselves and improve their life situation. “My aim with this story was to showcase a light-hearted, fun, quirky side of South Africa that audiences locally and abroad might not be familiar with, where we empathize with characters who want to better their situation and succeed, despite facing failure at every turn,” says Writer/Director Brad Katzen.
‘Soweto Blaze’ does not shy away from the harsh reality of South African life, but rather embraces it, giving us a fun, tongue-in-cheek glimpse into a group of quirky characters doing whatever they can to get by in the urban jungle of Jozi.
The film stars Malti Mohapeloa (Rhythm City, Zabalaza), Dimpho More (7de Laan, Isono), Nyeleti Khoza (Pretty Woman, Bad Attitude, Insecure season 2) and Sello Sebotsane (Jock: A True Tale of Friendship, Stokvel).
‘Soweto Blaze is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.
