TF1 Studio/ Newen Connect has picked up worldwide gross sales rights to “Sarafina!,” the long-lasting South African musical-dance-drama that premiered on the Cannes Film Festival in 1992.
“Sarafina!” was the primary main movie to be made in South Africa after the discharge of Nelson Mandela from his 27-year jail time period. The movie tells of the energy of the younger ladies who made their mark throughout South Africa’s lengthy journey to freedom.
A restored model of the movie will play within the Cannes Classics part this Sunday. It is a digitally remastered ‘producer’s lower’ which was created in partnership with Imax and consists of never-seen-before footage.
The movie was produced by Anant Singh via his Videovision Entertainment and directed by Darrel James Roodt from a screenplay by Mbongeni Ngema and William Nicholson. It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, Mbongeni Ngema, John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo.
“ ‘Sarafina!’ is as entertaining and remains as relevant today as it was when it was released thirty years ago,” mentioned Singh. “We are privileged and thrilled that ‘Sarafina!’ has notched up another first by becoming the first South African film to be selected twice by the Cannes festival.”
“It is great to continue the relationship which began through our 1992 partnership with Les Films Ariane, which is now part of TF1 Studio, a Newen Studios subsidiary, with the film now being distributed by Newen Connect,” mentioned Singh. “Today, there are many opportunities to release the film including in Imax, and also with students and schools, which gives us access to a whole new generation of audiences.”
Nathalie Toulza-Madar, TF1 Studio CEO, mentioned, “The outstanding beauty of the film and the values it promotes will enchant new audiences, especially young ones. The glorious return of this great film to Cannes is the beginning of a wonderful adventure.”
Miriam Makeba, Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, Darrell Roodt and Anant Singh on the 1992 premiere of ‘Sarafina!’