{"id":4857,"date":"2017-08-23T14:27:14","date_gmt":"2017-08-23T12:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=4857"},"modified":"2017-08-23T14:27:14","modified_gmt":"2017-08-23T12:27:14","slug":"sa-feature-five-fingers-for-marseilles-in-competition-at-toronto-international-film-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2017\/08\/23\/sa-feature-five-fingers-for-marseilles-in-competition-at-toronto-international-film-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"SA Feature “Five Fingers For Marseilles” In Competition At Toronto International Film Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019, a contemporary South African Western set in the rugged badlands of the Eastern Cape, will be in official competition at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), to be held from 7 to 17 September. This will also be the film\u2019s world premiere.<\/p>\n

TIFF is one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world, attracting more than 480 000 people annually. The film will feature as part of TIFF\u2019s Discovery programme line-up, which highlights up and comers around the world from 35 countries.<\/p>\n

Directed by Michael Matthews and written by Sean Drummond, \u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019 is a predominantly Sesotho, Western-inspired tale of an outlaw who returns home after years on the run, and finds a chance for redemption.<\/p>\n

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From left to right Ntsika Tiyo Vuyo Novokoza Sibusiso Bottoman Toka Mtabane Abongile Sithole and Qhawe Soroshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cA major motion picture of this scale, complexity and intent has never before been made in South Africa,\u201d says producer Asger Hussain. \u201cIt\u2019s the most complex, daring and ambitious undertaking that the local film industry has seen in a very long time. We are extremely excited to have a film of this nature in competition at TIFF. Compared to Berlin, Cannes and even Sundance, Toronto is the one festival that has been known to pick both major crowd pleasers and award winners, including favourites like \u2018Slumdog Millionaire\u2019, \u2018Precious\u2019, and \u2018The King\u2019s Speech\u2019.<\/p>\n

Vuyo Dabula heads an all-star cast that includes Hamilton Dhlamini, Zethu Dlomo, Kenneth Nkosi, Mduduzi Mabaso, Aubrey Poolo, Lizwi Vilakazi, Warren Masemola, Dean Fourie, Anthony Oseyemi, Brendon Daniels and Jerry Mofokeng. Cast by acclaimed casting director Moonyeenn Lee, the film also features people from local Eastern Cape communities in supporting roles, and introduces to the big screen Toka Mtabane, Vuyo Novokoza, Ntsika Tiyo, Sibusiso Bottoman, Abongile Sithole, and Qhawe Soroshi.<\/p>\n

It tells the story of how, 20 years ago, the young \u2018Five Fingers\u2019 fought for the rural town of Marseilles, against brutal police oppression. Now, after fleeing in disgrace, Tau returns, seeking peace. Finding the town under new threat, he must reluctantly fight to free it. Will the Five Fingers stand again?<\/p>\n

Writer Sean Drummond says the timing of the film is optimal. \u201cGood Westerns always had socio-political undercurrents running through them,\u201d says Drummond. \u201cBy putting a highly entertaining, contemporary spin on this South African Western, the film explores subjects that resonate right now with many people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019 will be released in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution. \u201cThe film is a perfect fit for the much-respected festival\u2019s independent spirit,\u201d says Helen Kuun, CEO of Indigenous Fil Distribution. \u201c\u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019 will screen alongside new works from filmmakers known for taking stylistic and thematic risks with their work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major TIFF titles include \u2018The Shape of Water\u2019 by Guillermo del Toro (US), Darren Aronofsky\u2019s \u2018mother!\u2019 (US), starring Jennifer Lawrence, and \u2018Breathe\u2019 by Andy Serkis (UK). Aaron Sorkin makes his directorial debut with \u2018Molly’s Game\u2019 (US), starring Idris Elba and Jessica Chastain. Also on the programme schedule are \u2018I Love You, Daddy\u2019 by Louis C.K.; Andrew Haigh’s much-anticipated \u2018Lean on Pete\u2019; action maestro John Woo’s \u2018Manhunt\u2019; \u2018Redoubtable\u2019, Michel Hazanavicius’ glimpse into the life of Jean-Luc Godard; Hirokazu Koreeda’s \u2018The Third Murder\u2019; and a Michael Jackson twofer: John Landis’ \u2018Michael Jackson’s Thriller 3D\u2019, preceded by Jerry Kramer’s \u2018Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019 was awarded Best South African Film in Development at the Durban FilmMart\u2019s finance forum in 2013. It was produced by Drummond and Matthews\u2019 Be Phat Motel Film Company and Yaron Schwartzman and Asger Hussain of Game 7 Films, in association with Stage 5 Films and Above the Clouds. Schwartzman and Hussain\u2019s previous credits include TIFF competition title \u2018The Paperboy\u2019, starring Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey, as well as TIFF 2009 Audience Award winner, \u2018Precious\u2019. \u00a0\u2018Five Fingers for Marseilles\u2019 was also made possible with the backing of South Africa\u2019s National Film & Video Foundation and the Department of Trade and Industry, and with additional support from Dupa Films.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the scale of the film, we are aiming to carve a new a new path for high-value South African films aimed at both a local and world audience,\u201d says Drummond.<\/p>\n