Johannesburg, Thursday, 30 January 2025 — This year audiences worldwide will step into the gritty and electrifying streets of Johannesburg with City of Gold, a South African crime-action epic destined to leave an indelible mark on global cinema. A tale of power, survival, and fractured humanity, this riveting feature promises to transport viewers into the heart of a city where ambition clashes with morality, and every choice carries a heavy price.
A Lucky Rhino production directed by Fabien Martorell (Collision, Unbelief), who also serves as producer alongside Neo Baloyi (Collision), City of Goldrepresents a bold leap in African storytelling. The film weaves a raw narrative of betrayal and redemption, showcasing the talents of a stellar South African cast and a powerhouse team of executive producers, including Clifford Elk, Basetsana Kumalo, Jeremy Nathan, Phil Lyon, Bonko Khoza, Jean-François Dugal, and Sheila Afari.
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At its core, City of Gold is the story of Somandla, played by Bonko Khoza (Heart of the Hunter), a determined and tormented gangster haunted by his father’s death. As he navigates the dangerous criminal underworld, he encounters a relentless policewoman Rachel Marumo (Gaosi Raditholo, Warrior, Soon Comes Night) searching for her missing brother, and a corrupt cop John Weigh with sinister motives (Brandon Auret, Rebel Moon). What follows is a high-stakes game of survival where ambition, power, and morality collide in the shadowy corners of Johannesburg.
City of Gold is brought to life by the creative partnership of Neo Baloyi and Fabien Martorell, both of whom are no strangers to creating stories that resonate globally. Neo Baloyi, a Johannesburg-based producer and co-founder of Lucky Rhino, is passionate about amplifying African stories for international audiences. With projects like Collision, which ranked #3 globally on Netflix, #1 in South Africa, #4 in the US, Canada, France, Brazil, in the Top 10 in the world two weeks in a row, and sat in the Top 10 in 68 countries; Baloyi has proven that African cinema can capture hearts and minds worldwide.
Fabien Martorell, the French-born, Los Angeles-based multi-awarded director and producer, brings an eye for detail and a reputation for storytelling that spans continents. His directorial credits include Collision which became number 3 in the world on Netflix on its release and multi-awarded and nominated short films like Unbelief and Coin. With City of Gold, Martorell blends his meticulous aesthetic with a deep understanding of character-driven narratives, creating a film that pulsates with tension and emotion.
Lucky Rhino’s City of Gold is poised to elevate South African cinema to new heights, bringing the country’s stories to a global stage. “This film is deeply rooted in the vibrancy and struggles of Johannesburg, but its themes are universal,” says producer Neo Baloyi. “It’s about resilience, identity, and the choices that define us.”
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Echoing this sentiment, Martorell adds, “Johannesburg isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character, and its energy is felt in every frame. With City of Gold, we’ve created something that’s as gritty as it is poignant, as thrilling as it is heartfelt.”
Leading the charge is Bonko Khoza, whose portrayal of Somandla anchors the film with a blend of raw intensity and vulnerability. Joining him are Brandon Auret, whose gritty performance as a corrupt cop adds layers of menace, Gaosi Raditholo, who shines as a determined policewoman on a personal mission, and Given Stuurman, who shows depth with character Musa, Somandla’s brother, the only person who he trusts.
The ensemble cast also features Vuyo Dabula, Louis Vega, Moss Makwati, Thabo Gabriel Malema, Otto Nobela, Kagiso Rathebe, Gontse Ntshegang, and Daniel Janks each delivering compelling performances that immerse viewers in the story’s emotional and moral complexity.
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Shot on location in Johannesburg, City of Gold combines striking visuals with an evocative score by composer Sacha Chaban. Cinematographer Gaopie Kabe, a five-time SAFTA nominee, captures the city’s duality: its beauty and brutality, its promise and peril. The result is a film that not only tells a story but also immerses audiences in the spirit of the city itself.
Keep posted to Lucky Rhino online for global release dates and behind the scenes footage.
