Menu
BROADCAST FILM AND VIDEO DIRECTORY
Broadcast News
23/02/2005
South African film wins Golden Bear in Berlin
Mark Dornford-May's feature debut 'U-Carmen eKhayelitsha' has been awarded the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival.
The first South African film to be selected for the competition in 25 years, U-Carmen eKhayelitsha is a unique interpretation of Bizet's opera set in the township of Khayelitsha and performed in Xhosa (the 'click' language). Director Dornford-May was joined on the red carpet by Khayelitsha-born Pauline Malefane, who appears in the title role and co-wrote the screenplay.
The film was chosen out of 21 competition entries from around the world by an international jury presided over by Hollywood director Roland Emmerich and including actresses Ingeborga Dapkunaite of Lithuania, Franke Potente of Germany, the Ukrainian writer Andrei Kurkov and Italian fashion designer Nino Cerutti.
"It is a great day for Khayelitsha," said Dornford-May. "To say that we are ecstatic would be an understatement. The idea of setting and filming the world's most popular opera in Xhosa in a South African township seemed mad at the time - it still seems mad now - but it was an amazing experience for everyone involved and it is a delight beyond words to know that an international audience can appreciate what is for us such a very personal and local triumph."
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha marked the film debut not only of the director but also of each and every member of the lyric theatre company DDK. Founded in 2000, Dimpho Di Kopane (meaning 'combined talents' in SeSotho) creates opportunities for South Africans to develop their musical performance talents and promotes South African lyric theatre both at home and abroad. The company is composed of 40 members chosen through auditions held in rural and urban South Africa by founding members, Britons Mark Dornford-May and music director, Charles Hazlewood.
A Dimpho Di Kopane production in association with Spier Films and Nandos, with backing from the Department of Trade and Industry and the SA National Film and Video Foundation, U-Carmen eKhayelitsha was produced by Dornford-May and Ross Garland.
(GB)
The first South African film to be selected for the competition in 25 years, U-Carmen eKhayelitsha is a unique interpretation of Bizet's opera set in the township of Khayelitsha and performed in Xhosa (the 'click' language). Director Dornford-May was joined on the red carpet by Khayelitsha-born Pauline Malefane, who appears in the title role and co-wrote the screenplay.
The film was chosen out of 21 competition entries from around the world by an international jury presided over by Hollywood director Roland Emmerich and including actresses Ingeborga Dapkunaite of Lithuania, Franke Potente of Germany, the Ukrainian writer Andrei Kurkov and Italian fashion designer Nino Cerutti.
"It is a great day for Khayelitsha," said Dornford-May. "To say that we are ecstatic would be an understatement. The idea of setting and filming the world's most popular opera in Xhosa in a South African township seemed mad at the time - it still seems mad now - but it was an amazing experience for everyone involved and it is a delight beyond words to know that an international audience can appreciate what is for us such a very personal and local triumph."
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha marked the film debut not only of the director but also of each and every member of the lyric theatre company DDK. Founded in 2000, Dimpho Di Kopane (meaning 'combined talents' in SeSotho) creates opportunities for South Africans to develop their musical performance talents and promotes South African lyric theatre both at home and abroad. The company is composed of 40 members chosen through auditions held in rural and urban South Africa by founding members, Britons Mark Dornford-May and music director, Charles Hazlewood.
A Dimpho Di Kopane production in association with Spier Films and Nandos, with backing from the Department of Trade and Industry and the SA National Film and Video Foundation, U-Carmen eKhayelitsha was produced by Dornford-May and Ross Garland.
(GB)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
06/07/2009
Screen South Appoints Interim CEOs
The Regional Screen Agency for the South East, Screen South, has announced the appointment of joint new interim chief executive officers (CEO) Sarah D
Screen South Appoints Interim CEOs
The Regional Screen Agency for the South East, Screen South, has announced the appointment of joint new interim chief executive officers (CEO) Sarah D
05/01/2017
Film Expo South Returns To Southampton
Film Expo South is to bring together the "very best" in film making talent, to share their skills while collaborating with budding films makers and ot
Film Expo South Returns To Southampton
Film Expo South is to bring together the "very best" in film making talent, to share their skills while collaborating with budding films makers and ot
18/11/2016
Film Expo South Returns To Southampton
The south coast of England is preparing to host the return of Film Expo South. The event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to meet with the g
Film Expo South Returns To Southampton
The south coast of England is preparing to host the return of Film Expo South. The event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to meet with the g
06/10/2016
Film Expo South To Return
Film Expo South is to return for a second year, it has been announced. The UK exhibition, which has been described as the "go-to event for networking,
Film Expo South To Return
Film Expo South is to return for a second year, it has been announced. The UK exhibition, which has been described as the "go-to event for networking,
11/02/2011
South West Short Film Wins At IFFR
A short film from the South West has won the New Arrivals jury award at the 40th International Film Festival Rotterdam. Silent Things by Bournemouth F
South West Short Film Wins At IFFR
A short film from the South West has won the New Arrivals jury award at the 40th International Film Festival Rotterdam. Silent Things by Bournemouth F
11/10/2010
London Film Festival's Opening Feature Puts South West In The Spotlight
Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go will open the prestigious 54th BFI London Film Festival on October 13. The film was shot in Clevedon and Weston-super-M
London Film Festival's Opening Feature Puts South West In The Spotlight
Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go will open the prestigious 54th BFI London Film Festival on October 13. The film was shot in Clevedon and Weston-super-M
05/08/2009
Light Illusion's Steve Shaw Grades South Indian Feature Film Ninaithale Inikkum
In a continuing and growing relationship with India, Steve Shaw, CEO of specialist UK-based digital film consultancy Light Illusion, has acted as Chie
Light Illusion's Steve Shaw Grades South Indian Feature Film Ninaithale Inikkum
In a continuing and growing relationship with India, Steve Shaw, CEO of specialist UK-based digital film consultancy Light Illusion, has acted as Chie
24/04/2008
Screen South Supported Talent Win At London Independent Film Festival
Screen South, the regional development agency of the UK Film Council for film in the South East of England, has announced that it is "thrilled" with t
Screen South Supported Talent Win At London Independent Film Festival
Screen South, the regional development agency of the UK Film Council for film in the South East of England, has announced that it is "thrilled" with t
24/05/2007
UK And South Africa Film Co-Production Treaty Declared Operational At Cannes
On the one year anniversary of the signing of the UK / South Africa film co-production treaty Secretary of State Tessa Jowell and South African Deputy
UK And South Africa Film Co-Production Treaty Declared Operational At Cannes
On the one year anniversary of the signing of the UK / South Africa film co-production treaty Secretary of State Tessa Jowell and South African Deputy
04/10/2006
BFI To Open Refreshed Film Centre On South Bank
The BFI has announced that it will open the doors to its revitalised centre on the South Bank on February 1 2007. The building will, for the first tim
BFI To Open Refreshed Film Centre On South Bank
The BFI has announced that it will open the doors to its revitalised centre on the South Bank on February 1 2007. The building will, for the first tim
23/05/2005
South West film locations to be showcased
South West film locations are being shown off next week as South West Screen, Bristol and Bath Film Offices and Cornwall Film join forces to promote t
South West film locations to be showcased
South West film locations are being shown off next week as South West Screen, Bristol and Bath Film Offices and Cornwall Film join forces to promote t
05/10/2015
Lights... Camera... Action; Film Expo South Take ONE!
Three words synonymous with a film crew starting a new take. Here's another three: Film Expo South! We want these three words to trip off the tongues
Lights... Camera... Action; Film Expo South Take ONE!
Three words synonymous with a film crew starting a new take. Here's another three: Film Expo South! We want these three words to trip off the tongues
23/10/2008
Mayor Of London Pledges His Support For Film In The Capital
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has held his first meeting with prominent figures from the film, television and production industries. The film summit h
Mayor Of London Pledges His Support For Film In The Capital
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has held his first meeting with prominent figures from the film, television and production industries. The film summit h
17/11/2009
Film Council 'To Steer Film Through Recession'
The UK Film Council has launched a three-month public consultation into the most significant revision of its activities since it was created in 2000.
Film Council 'To Steer Film Through Recession'
The UK Film Council has launched a three-month public consultation into the most significant revision of its activities since it was created in 2000.
26/05/2015
Production News : Film4-Backed Film Scoop Two Awards At Cannes Film Festival
Film4-backed films picked up two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. At the festival Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster was awarded the Jury Prize, whilst
Production News : Film4-Backed Film Scoop Two Awards At Cannes Film Festival
Film4-backed films picked up two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. At the festival Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster was awarded the Jury Prize, whilst
