Moffie

60th TIFF: Greek Premiere

1981, South Africa. The white minority government is embroiled in a conflict against Angola, and Nicholas, a 16-year-old boy, is obliged to undergo a two-year grueling training so as to defend the Apartheid regime and repel the “black danger.” As the title suggests (a derogatory Afrikaan term meaning queer), a tender – and completely forbidden – connection is sparkled between Nicholas and a fellow recruit. In a suffocating environment of hateful brainwash and obscurantism, oppression is omnipresent and bursting in all directions. A tale of cruelty and intolerance, which reminds us that supremacism can only serve as a gateway to hell.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Oliver Hermanus

Script: Oliver Hermanus, Jack Sidey

Cinematography: Jamie D Ramsay

Editing: Alain Dessauvage, George Hanmer

Sound: Stéphane de Rocquigny

Music: Braam du Toit

Actors: Kai Luke Brummer, Ryan de Villiers, Matthew Vey, Stefan Vermaak, Hilton Pelser

Production: Portobello Productions

Producers: Eric Abraham, Jack Sidey

Co-producers: Τheresa Ryan-Van-Graan, Lamees Albertus, Genevieve Hofmeyr

Costumes: Reza Levy

Sets: Franz Lewis

Camera: Juan White, Tom Purcell

Make Up: Francesca Van Der Feyst

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: South Africa, UK

Production Year: 2019

Duration: 104´

Contact: Portobello Film Sales, sales@portobellofilmsales.com

Oliver Hermanus

Oliver Hermanus debuted his first film, Shirley Adams, in 2009, premiering in competition at the 62nd Locarno Film Festival. His second, Skoonheid, was presented in the Un Certain Regard competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival. His third, The Endless River, premiered in Competition at the 72nd Venice Film Festival where it was the first South African film to be invited to the main competition. His fourth feature, Moffie, premiered in the Orizzonti competition at the 76th Venice Film Festival in 2019. Living is his first non-South African set feature.