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Sparkling New Comedy Explores SA’s Blesser Culture on the Big Screen.
Although the arrangement is nothing new, ‘blesser’ is a South African term for an older man who has multiple girlfriends he lavishes with gifts, in exchange for sex and companionship. In turn, the girlfriends post photos on social media of expensive shoes, clothes and piles of cash, tagging the pictures #blessed.
That’s the subject at the heart of the slick and hilarious new comedy ‘Blessers’, by actor and director Rea Rangaka, known for ‘Ode in Blood’ (2013), ‘For the Lovers Only’ (2012) and ‘iNumber Number’ (2017). ‘Blessers’ releases in cinemas on 25 October 2019.
The film stars award-winning actor and comedian Kenneth Nkosi (‘Skeem’, 2011; ‘Paradise Stop’ (2011); ‘District 9’ (2009) and ‘White Wedding’ (2009), as Jacob Mofokeng, a middle-aged businessman who has become accustomed to his routine, a life which includes his wife, Michelle (Sonia Mbele of ‘Generations’ fame), his daughter Natasha (Six Nyamane), his work and his fun.
As a powerful CEO, with a big house, a successful spouse, a family, and expensive recreational habits, Jacob feels like life will always be easy. Along with George, his colleague and partner-in-crime, the two dominate the boardroom as well as the bedroom but as it turns out, they do not quite control their homes. Caught knee-deep in the word of blessers, Jacob and his family are about to learn a few hard lessons and discover that they are perhaps not that #blessed.
Entrepreneur Thabo Molefe, better known as Tbo Touch, make his big screen debut in the movie. The Touch HD radio owner plays the role of flamboyant Mthakathi the Fixer, who lives in a R48 million penthouse. He throws extravagant parties where he introduces blessers to slay queens.
‘Blessers’ is written by Tbo Touch, Sasa Nqabeni and Kumaran Naidu. It’s produced by Masechaba Rose Molefe and Malebo Manamela.
“The film was the brainchild of Tbo Touch and Touch HD,” says Rangaka. “My role was to make it happen. It has an interesting way tonally, of dealing with some really dark material like the concept of blessers, cheating, and the sex trade, and making it palatable. We’ve seen and lived with the events on screen all around us. The film is ‘funny ha ha’, but even funnier as in ‘oh snap!’
‘Blessers’ will be released in cinemas nationwide and is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.
Last night saw this movie at a “Ladies Night” screening. This film was poorly edited, had a weak storyline , ended abruptly, relied on racial steriotypical South African examples and above all was not in the least bit amusing or funny. As a avid watcher of subtitled films across many cultures Indian, Chinese, Danish etc. this must be the worst film I’ve seen in many years. No redeeming value…I want 2 hours of my life back.