It is fitting that Çut-Out Girls opens the 22^nd of November, a week before sixteen days of activism for no violence against women and children. This frighteningly relevant and unsettling film follows the lives of six women that become interwoven through the dark actions of two aspiring sportsmen. It is a disquieting film that looks into the complexities of date rape.

The young and remarkable cast of fresh new talent venture bravely to where other actors might fear to tread. Under the guidance of writer and director, Nicola Hanekom, they enter an uneasy landscape of blurred lines and misplaced morals in a film that is sure to surprise and move audiences.

The violence perpetrated against women in South Africa has ignited outrage, street protests and a media storm.  In the Twittersphere, the words of poet, Koleka Putuma, retweeted 1.8 K times, summarised the thoughts and feelings of many: ‘I don’t want to die with my hands up, or legs open’. This sentiment of fighting back is what drove Hanekom to make Çut-Out Girls, her debut film.

Çut-Out Girls is an ensemble film with unpredictable plot twists and the different stories of the women intersecting. Kevin and Mike are trying to get ahead in the competitive world of tennis. When one of them discovers a dangerous key that can unlock their potential, things get out of hand. Their world spirals out of control. A small series of seemingly insignificant moments weave together with devastating consequences. The film delves deep into the notion that in every moment a choice exists. It also challenges the narrative that says only wild, hard-partying jocks rape.

Çut-Out Girls stars Joel Rosenblatt, Cody Mountain, Keziah Gabriel, Chloe Papademetriou, Meghan Oberholzer, Ashleigh van der Hoven and Atlanta Johnson. The story is loosely based on a successful stage play by Hanekom that featured the same cast.

Çut-Out Girls was shot in and around Cape Town in 2017. A portion of the proceeds of the film will go to the non-profit organisation Rape Crisis.

The film is produced by Act Cape Town Productions, in association with Haas & Kaas.

Çut-Out Girls is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution. It releases nationwide on 22 November 2019.

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