South Africa has chosen a new film called “Old Righteous Blues” to represent the country at the 97th Academy Awards. This film is competing in the Best International Feature Film category. The decision was announced by South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).
“Old Righteous Blues” tells the story of a young man in South Africa’s Western Cape province. He wants to bring together his community by restoring an old Christmas Choir Band, known as Kerskoor, to its former glory. However, he faces challenges due to a feud started by his father twenty years ago. This feud had split the choir and caused create damage to the community, with families torn apart and rivalries dividing the town.
READ MORE: Phumulani Ntuli’s Umfanekiso Uyopha Inkungu Exhibition Opens
Director Muneera Sallies describes the film as an intense look into a young man’s life, his family and his community. It’s a story about brotherhood, pain, love, dreams and courage. Sallies was deeply moved by the script and felt compelled to visit the community that inspired it.
The film idea came from writer and producer Carol Shore. She was fascinated by the Christmas choir tradition in the Western Cape after moving there 25 years ago. She had always wanted to make a film about it.
The South African Academy Awards Selection Committee chose “Old Righteous Blues” after a strict judging process. They believe the film’s themes of redemption and community will speak to audiences around the world. Lebogang Mogoera, the acting CEO of NFVF, praised the film as a testament to South Africa’s storytelling talent.
READ MORE: YoungstaCPT Leads The G-STAR x FACETASM Fashion Campaign
The movie is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution and has been shown on Afrikaans-language television KykNET. It was created by KykNET Films with support from several organizations, including the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
