Twitter outrage as release of Venda film is delayed

While the two films have different distributors, according to MyBroadband, moviegoers feel that the traditional African production is being shunted for the more modern value-orientated NGO movie.

The spokesperson for Distributor Indigenous Films told MyBroadband that the delay comes from a switch to digital projection by the end of next month and the wish to capitalise on this.

The fact the release date was the same as another South African film was also a contributing factor, the spokesperson added.

This is the second time the release date for the film has been pushed forward. It was initially scheduled for screening in August but was delayed until October and now the new date will most likely be the end of January 2014.

‘Elewani’ is the story of the adventures of a Venda village girl, adapted from the first ever Venda novel, of the same name.

Actress, Florence Masebe , who is known for her role in Muvhango, stars in ‘Elewani’. She recently tweeted “So… according to an email I just read the South African audience can only handle one local film release at a time so ‘Elelwani’ must wait.”

The response was fast and furious with a barrage of tweets coming though.

Victor Dlamini tweeted “The injustice against the movie Elelwani needs to be fixed and fixed quickly. Why should its release be delayed in favor of big money”

Zola Hashatsi also took to Twitter to vent his frustrations, saying “Dear @FloMasebe so are these bafoons serious about not putting #Elelwani in Cinemas? Wow, I GIVE UP!”

-TeamTalk