The National Film and Video Foundation has announced that the South African film, Barakat has been selected as South Africa’s official submission for the 94th Academy Awards.
The film, that’s the first South African Muslim film shot in Afrikaans, was selected by the foundation from a number of entries they received.
In August, NFVF called on South African filmmakers to submit films for the International Feature Film category and said they would choose the winner.
Barakat follows a mother who just found love and wants to tell her four hot-headed sons about the new man in her life.
It stars Vinette Ebrahim known for her role as Charmaine on SABC2’s 7de Laan, comedian Joey Rasdien and actress Bonnie Mbuli, among others.
It is directed by Amy Jephta and produced by Ephraim Gordon.
Barakat was released in 2020, but was officially released in cinemas in early 2021.
And it has won seven international awards so far, including Best International Feature at the 2021 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema and Best Narrative Feature at both the Motion Pictures International Film Festival and The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Festival in 2020.
Jephta said she is proud of the film.
“I am so proud that this film has reached as many people as it has, and to be recognised by South Africa in this way is incredibly special,” she said.
“Even after an extremely challenging year for our film industry, we’re honoured that a small story about a family has connected us,” said the director.
“This was totally unexpected, but it shows that everyone’s hard work on this project has paid off. This film was a blessing from the beginning and continues to be. It is our Barakat,” said the producer, Gordon.
The nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on 8 February next year, with the Oscars ceremony taking place on Sunday, 27 March next year.
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