In The Endless River, by Cape Town director Oliver Hermanus, violence is capable of generating love between Gilles and Tiny, who develop a bond after losing their dearest ones around the brutal murder of Gilles’ family on a South African farm.
At the 72nd Venice Film Festival, Hermanus told reporters that his film explores the relationship between perpetrator and victim, with the two leading characters playing out the dichotomy between innocence and guilt, while slowly falling in love.
Hermanus was accompanied by his lead actors, South African actress Crystal Donna Roberts and French actor Nicolas Duvauchelle, at the prestigious event, where the film made history as the first ever South African film to compete for the top prize: the Golden Lion Award.
Hermanus, who also penned the screenplay, is the first ever South African director to be included in the illustrious competition, which has formerly included some of the global entertainment industry’s most celebrated movies.
Roberts, in her first leading role, will also be competing for the ‘Best Actress’ prize at the festival - another South African first.
With The Endless River, Hermanus reunites with producers Didier Costet of Swift Productions in Paris; and Marvin Saven and Genevieve Hofmeyr of Moonlighting Films in Cape Town, who are the producing team of his multiple award-winning Skoonheid, which had its World Premiere in “Un Certain Regard” competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival where it garnered critical acclaim and world attention for the local filmmaker.
“We are thrilled about this prestigious selection… it is a great achievement for Oliver, the entire team and the broader South African industry,” said Hofmeyr.
AP, The Star and IOL