IFC Films has nabbed North American rights to South African Oliver Hermanus’ “Moffie,” a queer war film that is set against the backdrop of a South African border war. The indie studio will release the film in April 2021.
Hermanus directs the film and adapted the story from André Carl van der Merwe’s autobiographical 2006 novel with Jack Sidey. “Moffie” premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2019. It was a homecoming of sorts for the director, whose previous feature, “The Endless River,” was the first South African film to be nominated for the Golden Lion.
“‘Moffie’ is a brilliant cinematic vision with a powerful message that will inspire audiences and critics alike,” Arianna Bocco, president of IFC Films, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to come on board with such an accomplished film and singular directorial voice.”
“Moffie” stars Kai Luke Brummer, Ryan de Villiers, Matthew Vey, Stefan Vermaak, and Hilton Pelser. The film is produced by Eric Abraham – producer of Oscar-winning films Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Ida,” and Sidey.
“Set in 1981 South Africa in the midst of Apartheid, the film centers on closeted 16-year-old Nicholas Van der Swart (Kai Luke Brummer) as he begins the two years of compulsory military service required of all young white South African men, preparing to defend the regime on the Angolan war front. The threat of communism and “die swart gevaar” (the so-called black danger) is at an all-time high. But that’s not the only danger Nicholas faces. He must survive the brutality of the army – something that becomes even more difficult when a connection is sparked between him and a fellow recruit.”
The film has already been released in South Africa and in the U.K. and distribution rights to the film have been sold across Europe.
Source: Variety
