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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLesotho\u2019s first ever Oscar\u2019s entry \u2018This Is Not a Burial, It\u2019s a Resurrection\u2019 will be available to rent on DStv BoxOffice from 2 July. This date was intentionally earmarked by the filmmakers, who wished to honour their leading lady, Mary Twala Mhlongo, who passed away a year ago on the 4th of July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the first film from Lesotho, made by Mosotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, to ever be showcased internationally. The film was viewed by critics as one of the best at 2020\u2019s Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered in January that year and won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Visionary Filmmaking. It continued to travel the world, winning a further 26 awards both locally and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visually striking drama, set in the mountains of Lesotho, opens with an elderly widow named Mantoa (Mary Twala Mhlongo), grieving the loss of her son. Determined to die and be laid to rest with her family, her plans are interrupted when she discovers that the village and its cemetery will be flooded and forcibly resettled to make way for a dam reservoir. Refusing to let the dead be desecrated, she finds a new will to live and ignites a collective spirit of defiance within her community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was incredibly challenging to release our film in cinemas during a pandemic,\u201d said producer Cait Pansegrouw. \u201cThere was a lot of anxiety around people\u2019s health and safety and this reflected in our numbers, resulting in the film being taken off circuit after a short run due to insufficient demand. We\u2019re so happy that BoxOffice by DSTV will allow audiences to experience our film in the safety of their homes, over the anniversary of our beloved Ma Mary\u2019s passing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film also stars film and television icon Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha (\u2018Tsotsi\u2019, \u2018Fanie Fourie\u2019s Lobola\u2019, \u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019, \u2018Four Corners, \u2018Scandal\u2019, \u2018Soul City\u2019, \u2018Yizo Yizo\u2019, \u2018Isidingo\u2019), Makhaola Ndebele (\u2018Machine Gun Preacher\u2019, \u2018Money Monster\u2019, \u2018Nomzamo\u2019) and Tseko Monaheng (\u2018Naka la Moitheri\u2019, \u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One does not need to be a DSTV subscriber to view the film. Simply register to use BoxOffice online using your internet browser, create your online profile, link up your payment options and you\u2019ll be ready to go. More info can be found here: https:\/\/www.dstv.co.za\/whats-on\/news\/articles\/renting-boxoffice-movies-just-got-easier\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018This Is Not a Burial, It\u2019s A Resurrection\u2019 is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n