Ster-Kinekor is celebrating the richness, diversity and creativity of South African filmmaking with the exclusive release of two distinctly different local productions over the next two months. From an atmospheric Western horror to a proudly local comedy, audiences can experience some of the country’s most compelling new stories on the big screen at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas.
Each film showcases a unique South African voice and demonstrates the breadth of local storytelling currently emerging from some of the country’s leading filmmakers.
The Trek
For fans of the darker side of cinema, The Trek delivers an unsettling blend of Western and horror. This local film releases exclusively from 31 July at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas, following a triumphant film festival tour with selections at the Shanghai International Film Festival, Raindance in London and BIFAN in South Korea. This film has also received a Jury Prize win at Fantasporto in Portugal and a Best Cinematography win at Fantaspoa in Brazil.
Set in 1846, the film follows a desperate group of settlers crossing the unforgiving Kalahari Desert. As starvation, suspicion and madness begin to consume them, two mysterious desert spirits appear to watch over their increasingly terrifying journey.
The Trek follows a family of 1846 Dutch-Afrikaans settlers (Morné Visser and Trix Vivier) and their British benefactor (Rob Van Vuuren) as they make the perilous journey across the Kalahari to assert their claim on a plot of land. When they’re joined by a mysterious Khoen stranger (Maurice Carpede), the group soon realises that they are being stalked by something older and far more merciless than the desert itself.
The “unbelievably stunning” (Variety) film is led by celebrated Durban-born cinematographer Meekaaeel Adam, making his directorial debut. Having earned awards as both director and cinematographer for the film, Adam has been called “one of South Africa’s most daring, new voices” by Variety. “This film belongs to our audience,” says Adam. “After seeing this story travel around the world, receiving such warm reception from people of all walks of life, it makes me incredibly proud to share it with a local theatre-going audience back at home.”
Watch the trailer here
This gripping supernatural thriller will screen exclusively at Ster-Kinekor’s Brooklyn, Garden Route Mall, Rosebank Nouveau and V&A Waterfront cinemas from Friday 31 July.
Crazy Heist
This film releases exclusively from Friday 07 August at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas.
Bringing plenty of local humour to the big screen is Crazy Heist. A comedy centred around the colourful members of the Jukulyn Stokvel as they prepare for their year-end getaway to Hartbeespoort.
With financial pressures mounting. Gambling debts, relationship drama and the appointment of the group’s famously stingy member to collect the travel fund, the stokvel’s plans quickly spiral into a series of hilarious misadventures that celebrate the quirks, personalities and everyday realities familiar to many South Africans.
Watch the trailer here
Crazy Heist will screen exclusively at Ster-Kinekor cinemas at Mall of the North, Wonderpark, Mall of Africa, Eastgate, Southgate, Rustenburg, Ilanga and Mimosa from Friday, 07 August.
Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer at Ster-Kinekor, says supporting local productions remains an important part of the cinema group’s commitment to the South African film industry.
“South African filmmakers continue to produce exceptional stories that deserve to be experienced on the big screen. Whether it’s an intimate human drama. A genre-defying thriller. Or a comedy that reflects our unique culture and humour. These films showcase the incredible talent that exists within our local industry. We are proud to provide a platform for South African productions and encourage audiences to support local storytelling by enjoying these exclusive releases at Ster-Kinekor cinemas.”
As the country’s leading cinema exhibitor, Ster-Kinekor continues to champion locally produced content by giving South African filmmakers the opportunity to connect with cinema audiences and celebrate stories that reflect the country’s diverse experiences, cultures and creativity.
With these two exclusive releases offering something different and something local for movie lovers, there’s never been a better time to discover the best of South African cinema on the big screen.
