The film Dora’s Peace, set to be released on 26 August, not only features local talent in front of and behind the camera, but also takes local life in Johannesburg and brings it to the big screen.
The film stars local actress Khabonina Qubeka and is directed and produced by Kosta Kalarytis.
Audiences will follow the story of Dora, a Hillbrow prostitute, who sets out to save a gifted young boy from the violent clutches of organised crime. In the process, she is forced to rediscover aspects of her own lost humanity.
Kalarytis began his career as a cartoonist and illustrator. His passion for film led to the production of The Company You Keep in 2003.
“[Dora’s Peace] deals with underworld characters that inhabit Hillbrow,” said Kalarytis.
“Aspects of my own Greek background and culture are also incorporated, which I don’t think has been done before in a South African movie. In making the film, the most important aspect was the relationship between Dora and the young boy, Peace. We knew if we could make that work, we stood a good chance of making a great movie.”
Khabonina is a familiar face on South African TV and has been nominated multiple times for her roles in series including Muvhango, The Lab, The Wild, Rhythm City and currently Isidingo. Aside from her TV and feature film work, she is also a dancer, presenter and musician.
Dora’s Peace sees the actress taking a lead role in a film for the first time.
The film features a high-profile cast including Danny Keogh, Hlubi Mboya, Ronnie Nyakale, and 12-year-old Paballo Koza.
Dumi Gumbi, also a producer on the film, is an award-winning consultant, focusing on film, TV and consumer marketing; and Gaby Mariola also came on board as a producer thanks to her knowledge of finance and raising funds for film productions.
The script was written by Andrew Herold, who has developed several projects with Kalarytis and has also published a novel titled, Gabriel’s Apology, in 2013. Dora’s Peace is his third completed feature as a screenwriter.
WATCH: Dora’s Peace Official Trailer
