Discover Digital secures rights to first ever African superhero series
Local digital entertainment and technology company, Discover Digital, has officially secured the rights to be the African digital distribution partner for the first mainstream African superhero television series, Jongo.
Produced by Johannesburg-based film and TV studio, Motion Story, Jongo tells the story of Eli King, a young man who acquires supernatural abilities through an alien crystal at the Cradle of Humankind.
The crystal is left to him by his father, an enslaved miner who is murdered shortly after escaping. As Eli tries to deal with the death of his father and find the men responsible, he must also grapple with the powers of the crystal and how it will change his life. However, the men he is hunting have crystals of their own and need Eli’s to fulfil an ancient and devastating prophecy that threatens the lives of millions.
Production is currently underway on the first eight-episode season, which is due to debut on local screens in March 2016. Discover Digital has signed on as the African partner with Jongo’s Netherlands-based distributor, FCCE. The series has already been picked up by both e.tv and Ebony Life TV.
Authentic appeal
Writer and co-director of Jongo, Gareth Crocker, says the show will appeal to family audiences around the world while maintaining a distinctly African soul.
“We wanted to showcase the beauty and dynamism of the continent and of South Africa in particular. So many films and TV shows focus on the problems Africans face. Jongo will emphasise all that is positive about this great continent of ours,” says Crocker.
Creating the first African superhero series was an enormous challenge in itself. Crocker says: “We knew from the outset that we wanted to do something quite different from the other shows currently on air in this genre.”
An African aesthetic
According to Crocker, existing series in the superhero genre often come across as over-exaggerated and fake. “We wanted to ensure authenticity – to produce something that people can connect with,” says Crocker. “In casting, we specifically sought out people who are closely aligned to the characters we’ve written.”
To optimise on-location shooting in Johannesburg, high-end equipment including drones, cranes and low-light cameras were used to ensure dynamic cinematography.
“Virtually the entire show is shot on location in Johannesburg. We shoot everywhere from the tops of buildings and bottom of basements to tattoo parlours and theatres. The effects we use in the show are physical and we use them sparingly. They’re there to enhance and add to the show, not dominate it,” says Crocker.
A winning formula
The team behind the new series includes businessman and venture capitalist, Chris Lawrance as the executive producer, along with producer Phillip Wolmarans. Nick Keulemans is the cinematographer and the series is co-directed by Crocker and Fred Wolmarans.
Discover Digital knew they had a gem when they saw the pilot. MD of Discover Digital, Stephen Watson says, “It’s an original and uniquely African concept that has excellent production values. We just couldn’t say no to the opportunity to be involved. This marks an exciting foray into the world of content acquisition for us.”
Crocker concludes: “We think Jongo’s pretty special and we hope the world agrees.”
IOL, adapted from press release