SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS, the latest film from producer, Anant Singh had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival last night and received a rousing applause from the festival audience. The film was presented at the festival by Singh; his producing partner and screenwriter, Brian Cox; director, Oliver Schmitz and actor, Garion Dowds.
The film also garnered great reviews from the industry trades with Variety saying, ‘Oliver Schmitz, one of South Africa’s essential directors, delivers emotional acuity…’ while Screen Daily said, ‘What stands out…is its dramatic core’; The UK’s Guardian said, ‘visualised in some style…a forthright anti-death penalty message’ and the movie review website, Heyuguys.com called the film a ‘hard-hitting, disquieting piece of cinema’.
Commenting from Berlin, Singh said, “The incredible reaction from the audience in Berlin last night was really amazing for us. It is recognition of the efforts of the team who together, created a very compelling film. The audience was taken with Garion Dowds powerful performance in the film, acknowledging him with a huge applause when he took to the stage at the end of the film.”
SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS features a host of South African acting talent including Deon Lotz, Robert Hobbs, Eduan van Jaarsveldt and Marcel van Heerden.
Last week, Singh announced that Barry Gibb (co-founder of the Bee Gees) composed a song especially for the film. The song, ‘Angels’ which plays at the ends of the film and continues over the credits is performed by ‘The Voice of South Africa’, Vusi Mahlasela with Gibb.
Caption: Pictured at the Berlin Film Festival last night Anant Singh (producer), Garion Dowds (actor), Oliver Schmitz (director), Brian Cox (producer/screenwriter).
SHEPHERDS AND BUTCHERS is an Anant Singh presentation of a Videovision Entertainment/Distant Horizon production in association with Times Media Films, WDR/ARTE and The Department of Trade and Industry South Africa. The film stars Steve Coogan, Andrea Riseborough and Garion Dowds. Music is composed by Paul Hepker, is edited by Megan Gill with Diana Cilliers as Costume Designer and Director of Photography Leah Striker. It is executive produced by Robert Naidoo, Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh, Andrew Bonamour and Andrew Gill; co-producers Barbara Buhl, Andreas Schreitmueller and Jan Krüger. Produced by Anant Singh and Brian Cox, the film is based on the book ‘Shepherds and Butchers’ by Chris Marnewick with the screenplay by Brian Cox and is directed by Oliver Schmitz.
For Further Information:
Nilesh Singh
Tel: 031 2046050
E-mail: nilesh@videovision.co.za
