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Kanarie secures American distribution deal

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After a successful run at the local box office, Marche Media has closed a deal with film distribution company, Breaking Glass Pictures, granting them the American Rights to the LGBTQ musical hit Kanarie (Canary). The film will open theatrically in June, followed by a DVD & VOD release.

“Engaging and heartfelt, this moving coming-of-age tale transports us back to the mid-80s, when outsiders and lost souls turned to the glorious voice of Boy George to give us hope and guidance”, said Richard Ross, Co-President of Breaking Glass. “Anchored by truly amazing performances and superb writing, Kanarie is one of the most memorable films in recent years, and an important and outstanding addition to our line-up.”

The film had its South African premiere at the 2018 annual Silwerskerm Festival where it won a number of awards including Best Feature Film. It had great box office success as it passed the R1.4m mark.

The film, based on a true story, is set in 1985 South Africa at the height of Apartheid, which serves as the backdrop for an untold love-story and a journey to self-acceptance. It stars Schalk Bezuidenhout in a breakout role as Boy George-loving Kanarie Johan Niemand alongside Hannes Otto, Germandt Geldenhuys, Gerard Rudolf, and Jacques Bessenger and a brilliant cameo by Anna-Mart van der Merwe.

Kanarie will also be screened at the Queer Screen Mardi Gras film festival in Australia on 14 February.