INLSA

TRADITIONAL VALUES: Comedian Riaad Moosa with Vincent Ebrahim, who plays his father in the film Material. Picture: Yusuf Omar

Yusuf Omar

THE MUCH-anticipated SA film Material, starring comedian Riaad Moosa, premiered at Montecasino in Fourways last night.

“I’m sort of reserving emotions and enjoying the experience,” Riaad said. “We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the movie so far.”

The film previously premiered in Cape Town and Durban.

“We are interested to know how Joburg will take to the movie, which is set in Fordsburg. We hope the feeling resonates with viewers,” Riaad said.

“Fordsburg has such an interesting texture, such a vibe.”

While the film is loosely based on his own life, Riaad is actually Cape Town born and bred, but has a lot of family in Fordsburg and spent some time living in Joburg during his medical internship at Natalspruit Hospital in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.

“I had to lose some of my Capetonian vibe,” he laughed.

The story roughly follows the comedian’s rise to fame.

Riaad’s humble upbringing begins as a young Muslim who works in his father’s fabric shop in Fordsburg. Following tradition, Riaad – as the only son – is expected to take over the family business.

Discovering a hidden talent for comedy at an open-microphone session at a comedy club, the conflict between traditional Islamic values and his more flamboyant ambitions begins.

The who’s who of the Joburg arts and entertainment were at the premiere last night, including Jack Devnarain from Isidingo, Candice Moodley from Eastern Mosaic and Whackhead Simpson from Highveld Stereo.

Riaad, wearing a beige-and-brown suit, said he was dressed by his wife Farzana, also his manager.

His father Nisaar said: “I’m very happy with the way my son’s career has panned out. But the movie is not totally true. We supported him the whole way.”

Although Riaad is all too familiar with being in front of an audience, he said the movie premiere brought a whole new set of nerves.

Said producer Ronnie Apteker: “The stakes are high. This is the best South African commercial film since The Gods Must Be Crazy. We spent over $2 million (R15m).

“You are going to be blown away, it’s not what you think it is. This is the story of a family grappling with universal issues like identity, responsibility and duty. But it ultimately emphasises the importance of family,” Apteker said.

l The film opens on circuit next Friday.