AKENOSI finds his Polena
We love the democratic casting process of the North West crew’s latest creative venture, Akenosi starring Presley Chweneyagae in the lead role as AK. The film production process also started off with a launch party at Roka two weeks ago, setting an upbeat tone for the crew, we look forward to sharing the film’s journey with you: The movie is based on the 1994 civil riots in Mafikeng and follows the life of a 30-year-old heroic young man called Akenosi who suffers the consequences of being involved in the Bophuthatswana riots. AK (Akenosi) is going into production in July, and we are proud to announce that it will feature our home brewed stars such as our Oscar winning North West born Presley Chweneyagae, Boikie Pholo, Zenzo Nqcobe and one of our internationally recognized lyrical genius HHP, amongst others. The Akenosi auditions held at the Mmabana, Mmabatho Drama Studio this past weekend were a huge success. Like HHP, KB, Presley Chweneyagae, Zenzo Ngqobe, Tuks etc – there is always a new star coming out of the North West! Over a 100 hopeful young women between the ages of 23-27 from all over the North West turned up to participate in the auditions for the character Polena – who would act alongside Presley Chweneyagae (AKENOSI). The auditions took two days. The producers of AKENOSI were on their way to determine who this lucky young lady would be.The session started off with screen tests where the ladies introduced themselves, then the stages became more intense when 26 of the young ladies where chosen from the lot.. then eventually only 9 where given the script to show off their raw talent. The producers watched with such awe as one by one, many a lady, displayed such innovative and varied acting abilities. This is despite the fact that almost all of these young ladies do not have any formal training in acting. In the end it was a tie between two ladies – a lot of deliberations went on among Presley Chweneyagae (Lead), Rabotho Rakgajane (Director/ Co-producer) and Joan Legalamitlwa (Co-producer). Lerato Motswiri and Lebogang Matsosi where the top two. Lerato, a young woman from Lehurutshe was raised by a group of women in the small village of Lobatleng. This young promising actress kept it together under the raving talent of Presley. The producers are now proud to introduce this talent to you. Please see attached photos of Lerato Motswiri – our Polena in the movie...
Catch the NW film fest now!
It’s certainly the North West’s moment as festivals, parties, events and celebrations continuously draw Jozi peeps to the platinum province. One of the South African film industry’s most anticipated events, the 5th North West Film Festival (NWFF), is taking place from the 14th to the 23rd September 2007 across the North West Province. The theme of the festival is Ke Ya Rona (Setswana for “It is Ours”) and its primary objective is to encourage people to take ownership of the industry either as active audiences or film makers. The Festival aims to ‘edutain’ using film as a medium. The Festival takes place within National Heritage month, and it will showcase films with a Proudly South African focus to celebrate the country’s heritage. These films include; Karen Slater’s From Nkoko with Love, Vincent Moloi’s A Pair of Boots and a Bicycle, Jioty Mystry’s I Mike what I Like, Rudi Steyn’s Baas van die Plaas, Khulile Nxumalo’s The House of Credo Mutwa and Teboho Mahlatsi’s Sekalli sa Meokgo. Eight young aspirant filmmakers from around the North West Province have been undergoing rigorous training and development as part of the Festival’s 7 week filmmaking workshop. Here they developed and produced 4 ‘Proudly North West’ short films which will be showcased at this year’s Festival. In addition, over 60 South African and international films comprising of documentaries, shorts and feature films will be screened in Mafikeng, the capital of the North West Province. Other screenings will spread to the rest of Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala, Bophirima and the Southern districts as part of the Festival’s community outreach project. The programme offers an exciting range of films which fall under the following genres: Films from the African continent. This package features films from the Nigerian film industry – Nollywood as well as a taste of the best of Fespaco (Pan African Film Festival of Ougadougou) – Africa’s biggest festival. The Festival will also pay homage to the father of African cinema Ousemane Sembene who passed away this year by screening his award winning film, Moolade. Well known Nigerian director Chico Ejiro, known as Mr. Prolific in Nollywood will show a film entitled 100 Days in the Jungle. The Festival will also hold an open discussion on the Nigerian film industry. The second focus lends itself to films that celebrate young South African directors. These include Karabo Lediga (Black Sunday) and Lindiwe Nkutha (Joburg Rising),Khalo Matabane (Conversations on a Sunday Afternon), John Barker (Bunny Chow), Robin Kleindsmidt (Ongeriewe), Norman Maake (Soldiers of the Rock), Omelga Mthiyane (Different Pigment) With 2010 around the corner, the Festival has prepared a football package to wet the...
Get to Maftown for the Golden Stars
Oh it’s gonna be a jam-packed Spring… let’s hope it’s a Sprummer again. Just focus on Sept and don’t let this crappy weather bring you down. There’s only one place to be on the 21, 22 and 23 September and that’s Maftown in the North West Province for the Golden Stars Awards weekend, celebrating the success of arts and business in Mafikeng and by Maftownians. So go out there and enjoy. Click on the flyer for the full line up. We’ll tell you more as we get...
We will be back!
