Oscar-nominated African film to screen
As the world gets set for the biggest night in cinema, Africa has found another reason to smile
By Sebidde Kiryowa
As the world gets set for the biggest night in cinema, Africa has found another reason to smile. yesterday, the sixth film in the M-Net original movies series has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best foreign Language Film category.
Yesterday goes head-to-head with As It Is In Heaven, The Chorus, Downfall and The Sea Inside in Best foreign Language Film category at the academy Awards on February 28.
Yesterday made its African television debut in Uganda on M-Net on February 23, with the Academy Awards following a few days later on February 28. For those who missed the first screening, Yesterday will be re-screened on M-Net on February 28.
The film has already picked up a host of awards, including the Human Rights Film Award at the 61st Venice International Film festival and Best Film at the 3rd Pune International Film Festival in India.
Carl Fischer, the Head of M-Net Local productions, says it is immensely gratifying to see a Zulu film doing so well around the world.
“It’s great to see a film, which forms part of our M-Net original Movies project taking on the best from around the world with great success. This is a reflection of the universality of a tale about the struggle against AIDS,†he says.
Yesterday is a story about a young mother, yesterday (Leleti khumalo — Sarafina) and her daughter, Beauty, facing the hardships of living with AIDS.
Yesterday and Beauty live in a small village. Yesterday spends the days going about her daily tasks: pumping water, gossiping with the other women and tilling fields. Beauty is always at her mother’s side, helping as much as a six-year-old can. At night, as Beauty sleeps, Yesterday is kept awake by her persistent cough.
After a visit to the clinic in the neighbouring village, Yesterday is diagnosed with AIDS. She sets off to Johannesburg to find her husband, leaving Beauty in the care of a friend.
Producer Anant Singh believes the film has done so well because of its simplicity. “Yesterday is a pure story, in a simple setting. The cast put in tremendous performances and the crew worked really hard to make a film we can be proud of. We hope everyone will be holding thumbs for us on February 28, at the Oscars!†says Singh.
As the world gets set for the biggest night in cinema, Africa has found another reason to smile. yesterday, the sixth film in the M-Net original movies series has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best foreign Language Film category.
Yesterday goes head-to-head with As It Is In Heaven, The Chorus, Downfall and The Sea Inside in Best foreign Language Film category at the academy Awards on February 28.
Yesterday made its African television debut in Uganda on M-Net on February 23, with the Academy Awards following a few days later on February 28. For those who missed the first screening, Yesterday will be re-screened on M-Net on February 28.
The film has already picked up a host of awards, including the Human Rights Film Award at the 61st Venice International Film festival and Best Film at the 3rd Pune International Film Festival in India.
Carl Fischer, the Head of M-Net Local productions, says it is immensely gratifying to see a Zulu film doing so well around the world.
“It’s great to see a film, which forms part of our M-Net original Movies project taking on the best from around the world with great success. This is a reflection of the universality of a tale about the struggle against AIDS,†he says.
Yesterday is a story about a young mother, yesterday (Leleti khumalo — Sarafina) and her daughter, Beauty, facing the hardships of living with AIDS.
Yesterday and Beauty live in a small village. Yesterday spends the days going about her daily tasks: pumping water, gossiping with the other women and tilling fields. Beauty is always at her mother’s side, helping as much as a six-year-old can. At night, as Beauty sleeps, Yesterday is kept awake by her persistent cough.
After a visit to the clinic in the neighbouring village, Yesterday is diagnosed with AIDS. She sets off to Johannesburg to find her husband, leaving Beauty in the care of a friend.
Producer Anant Singh believes the film has done so well because of its simplicity. “Yesterday is a pure story, in a simple setting. The cast put in tremendous performances and the crew worked really hard to make a film we can be proud of. We hope everyone will be holding thumbs for us on February 28, at the Oscars!†says Singh.