Thirty years after having its world premiere at the prestigious festival, SARAFINA! has been chosen for the 2023 Official Selection – Cannes Classics.
The Cannes Classics section recognizes films that are deemed to be works of quality that have contributed to the evolution of motion picture arts and encouraged the development of the film industry throughout the world.
SARAFINA! stars Leleti Khumalo; Academy Award® Winner, Whoopi Goldberg; Miriam Makeba; Mbongeni Ngema; John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo with the screenplay by Mbongeni Ngema and William Nicholson. The film is produced by Anant Singh and directed by Darrell James Roodt. A digitally remastered Producer’s Cut with footage never-seen-before will be screened in partnership with IMAX.
SARAFINA! is an iconic South African film that has been embraced by a multi-generational audience over the years. The film shows the strength of our young women who made their mark in South Africa’s journey to freedom. It is a vibrant combination of drama, music, and dance. SARAFINA! is entertaining and remains as relevant today as it was thirty years ago.
Producer, Anant Singh commented, “It is exciting to be returning to the Cannes Film Festival with SARAFINA! after 30 years. Being selected for Cannes Classics is a rare and coveted recognition. We are privileged and thrilled that SARAFINA! has notched up another first by becoming the first South African film to be selected twice by the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious festival in the world.”
The Cannes Film Festival runs from the 16 to the 27th May.
