Oliver Hermanus’ new film to premiere at Venice

Oliver Hermanus and Portobello Productions have announced that their new film, Moffie, will have its world premiere in the official selection of the 76th Venice Film Festival which starts on 28 August 2019. Moffie was made in association with Hermanus’ Cape Town-based Penzance Films with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry South Africa.

This is the second film by Hermanus, and only the fourth South African film, to receive an official invitation to Venice in the 76 years of the festival.

Moffie is produced by South African born Eric Abraham, who produced the Academy award-winning films – Pawel Pawlikowski’s Ida (2014) and Jan Sverak’s Kolya (1996) – and Jack Sidey of Portobello Productions. It is based on the memoir, Moffie, by André-Carl van der Merwe and tells the story of a conscript who embarks on his military service in 1981 South Africa. The film stars Kai Luke Brummer in his first film lead performance as well as a cast of sixteen young actors, many of whom make their feature film debut.

“I am so honoured to return to Venice. The head of the festival, Alberto Barbera, has been such a wonderful champion of my work and I in turn am extremely proud of the cast and crew that have been a part of this return to Venice. We really became one big family making this film and it will be a crowning moment to present the film to them in the context of such prestigious occasion like Venice, not to mention the audience of over a thousand people. What a trip!” comments Hermanus.

The 2019 Venice International Film Festival takes place from 28 August to 7 September in Venice. Moffie will be released in South Africa later this year.