First Look into local film 'Poppie Nongena'
Portions of the profits to be donated towards the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa.
The trailer for the highly anticipated legacy film, Poppie Nongena, has been released - and it will give you goosebumps.
READ ALSO: 'Poppie Nongena' bags 12 awards at the kykNET Silwerskerm Festival
The film, which won twelve awards at the recent Silwerskerm Film Festival is based on the novel The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena by Elsa Joubert. Deeply rooted in South Africa’s history, it will be released nationwide in cinemas on 31 January 2020.
Poppie Nongena tells the story of a South African isiXhosa mother whose life revolves around finding stability for her family during a period of extreme upheaval in the country when black women were forced by arrests, fines and forced removal, to leave their homes and resettle in remote areas designated as black homelands. When her husband, Stone, becomes too ill to work, Poppie is deemed by law to be an “illegal” resident in her own country.
The producer, acclaimed filmmaker, Helena Spring, said that the film Poppie Nongena is particularly relevant today. Although it doesn’t deal directly with gender-based violence, it is about a strong South African woman in the face of adversity. “Witnessing recent protests, I was humbled by the women of South Africa, by the activists, men and women, saying, ‘Enough!’ said Spring. “It is unspeakable that a South African woman is killed every three hours, that so many women and children are forced to live in shame and fear, unprotected and vulnerable. It has to be stopped!”
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
Award-winning cast
Lead actress Clementine Mosimane, who was awarded the “Best Actress” trophy at the recent Silwerskerm Film Festival, feels that the film carries an important message. “We need to break the cycle of abuse by raising our children to be compassionate. This affects all of us, and we must address it at all levels. A society filled with healthy, respected women is a healthy society,” said Mosimane.
Supporting actress Anna-Mart Van Der Merwe agrees. “The scourge of gender-based violence screams out to us. It is time that we check in with ourselves, and the people we interact with daily. Do I embrace others as I want to be embraced?” said Van Der Merwe.
The novel will be re-released in both English and Afrikaans on 15 October 2019, in celebration of the film’s upcoming release.