Local artist strikes international deal
JOBURG - Comedian David Kau signs a major deal at the Cannes International Film Festival with US film distribution agency.
Comedian David Kau of Blitz Patrollie and Taxi Ride fame has concluded a major production and distribution deal with Archstone Pictures and Archstone Distribution to co-produce and distribute his new film Sekwankwetla.
Based at the Los Angeles Center Studios in Los Angeles, Archstone Distribution has gained a reputation as a filmmaker friendly distribution and sales company with nearly 100 titles in their current library.
Archstone Pictures currently produces and co-produces up to five films a year and has completed production on two films so far this year, including the action thriller Awaken and the action adventure Out of the Burning Blue – both currently selling at the Cannes market.
The deal was concluded on 19 May at the SA Pavillion with Scott Martin and Michael Slifkin, Founders and Partners of the Archstone Companies.
Sekwankwetla, which tells a story of a South African township superhero whose super powers are that he can fly but only 10cm high, will be directed by South Africa’s award-winning director TebohoMahlatsi.
Popularly known for producing and directing some of the most watched television shows, including television series YizoYizo, Mahlatsi’s short film Portrait of a young man drowning won a Silver Lion in 1999. Mahlatsi was also selected as jury president of the CortoCortissimo (short film section) of the Venice film Festival.
Archstone Pictures will co-produce the film along with David Kau’s Disadvantaged Background Productions and Mahlatsi’s The Bomb Shelter.
“We plan to shoot the film on location in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and have already started negotiations with the newly established KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission representatives who are also attending the festival to market the province as a best location,” Kau said.
South Africa’s participation at the Cannes International Film Festival is facilitated by the National Film and Video Foundation, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Durban Film Office and WESGRO.
Kau is a member of the Association for Transformation in Film and Television sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.
