IF I could use a bit of writer’s freedom to refer to the local film industry as a person, I think it would be safe to say she’s had butterflies all week in anticipation of the premiere of Florida Road in Durban.

The movie is exceptional for many reasons – it is set in Durban, it was shot entirely on location in Durban and it’s even named after the city’s very popular Florida Road.

But more so, it the objective of the movie that makes is so special.

Florida Road is an independent film, directed by Brad Glass and written and produced by Fred Fontana. It marks Glass’s directorial debut and is based on a story he developed and presented to Fontana – a Hollywood veteran of nearly 20 years who has been involved in major motion pictures such as The Specialist with Sylvester Stallone, Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase, Soldier with Kurt Russell and others.

Glass spent many years in South Africa and after realising the potential for film-making here, started Sunworld Productions more than a year ago with the aim of facilitating the production of quality films in South Africa for the global market – “bringing Hollywood closer to Africa”.

Well, Sunworld’s Florida Road is certainly reaching its objective, with the film having snapped up several awards during its festival tour last year, including Best Screenplay (Treasure Coast International Film Festival, Florida), Grand Prize Filmmakers Award (Durango Independent Film Festival, Colorado) and Top Applause Filmmakers Award (The International Family Film Festival, Los Angeles).

And it has been picked up for distribution in North America by Vanguard Cinema.

The film tells the story of a wealthy Indian family from Mumbai who move to Durban for a better life. Shaan Sahay (Ashmit Patel) yearns for his father’s love and acceptance as he struggles to pursue his passion for writing. Shaan discovers his place in the world and the importance of family when a tragedy hits home and secrets are revealed.

Described as a movie that has “Bollywood flavour with the Hollywood traditions”, Florida Road stars Bollywood stars Patel, Vipin Sharma, Smita Jayakar and Priyanshu Chatterjee, and South Africans Cokey Falkow, Corine du Toit and Vicky Davis.

Tonight chatted with Du Toit, who described the film as one that emphasises family ties.

“There is an unspoken language in family and in the end, even when it may seem as if people don’t get along, blood is thicker than water,” she explained.

Du Toit said her role as Sheila was a “refreshing change”.

“I tend to play the more bitchy roles, or the lawyer roles, and Sheila is more of a hippie character. She is the lead’s love interest and I would say it is more of an opposites attract situation. She’s the more free and floaty and Shaan (Patel) is more serious,” she said.

Du Toit said working with Glass had been a great lesson in passion. “Brad has a lot of enthusiasm and passion and with a director like that it rubs off on you.”

The actress was cast in her role soon after her stint on Getroud Met Rugby. She said it was a challenge changing so fast from one character to the next.

“Once I stopped shooting Getroud Met Rugby I dressed in character for Sheila for a few days before I started with Florida Road. I had a clear idea of what Brad had in mind for the character,” she said.

l Watch this space for a review of Florida Road, which releases in cinemas in the next few weeks.

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