Crime thriller film shot locally
The film is headlined by Nigerian-British actor Hakeem Kae Kazim (Black Sails, Pirates of the Caribbean and Hotel Rwanda) as Masinga, supported by many of South Africa's foremost actors.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/73/2023/12/MarkEngels_37746_tn-780x470.jpg)
Nu Metro Ballito Junction will host an exclusive early bird private screening of independent North Coast filmmaker Mark Engels’ latest movie, ‘Masinga – The Calling’.
Engels said the screening on Sunday night is to thank the local community for their support while he was living and filming here.
Produced by IMPI Films in association with M-Net and the KZN Film Commission, ‘Masinga – The Calling’ is an occult crime thriller shot almost entirely on the Dolphin Coast.
Local movie buffs will appreciate recognising familiar landmarks throughout the film.
“The film offers a tense and visually dynamic character portrayal of an African-born detective, Masinga, who returns to his homeland to investigate a Russian sex-trafficking ring in Maputo.
“Here he is confronted by the demons of his youth, the murder of his brother Ayanda, whose reincarnated spirit Xia guides his investigation,” said Engels.
The film is headlined by Nigerian-British actor Hakeem Kae Kazim (Black Sails, Pirates of the Caribbean and Hotel Rwanda) as Masinga, supported by many of South Africa’s foremost actors.
These include Shamila Miller, who recently played Anna Griesel in Deon Meyer’s Devil’s Peak series on M-Net, Sean Cameron Michael (Black Sails and Deep State), and Brandon Auret who appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster Elysium and the acclaimed SA productions, District 9 and Chappie.
Engels said he used as many qualified film technicians and artisans from KZN as possible while importing experienced heads of department to mentor teams that included post-graduate students from the Kwela Film Academy, which he founded.
The film’s South African premiere will be held at the Durban International Film Festival next July, upon which it will be released locally by Avalon Cinemas and on Showmax.
Engels hopes to have the film selected for international premiers in Moscow, Rio, Mumbai and Beijing, where he will seeking international distribution deals.
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