by Louw Mulder

Internationally recognized, South African actor Arnold Vosloo, returned home from Hollywood, to feature in the latest local Afrikaans feature film, Griekwastad due for release early May, on DSTV Box Office.

Based on the bestselling true crime novel by journalist Jacques Steenkamp, who closely followed the case of the Griekwastad family murders that took place in April 2012, Vosloo, stars as Dick de Waal, the detective who solves the puzzle.  Here is the Trailer:

Internationally acclaimed Vosloo granted us the opportunity for an interesting Q&A:

How did it come about that you agreed to be cast in a South African Feature film again?

Producers Tim Theron and Cobus van den Berg, contacted me via my sister, Nadia Vosloo, who is in charge of my South African affairs.  I read the Griekwastad script and immediately said yes.  It was really good and the fact that it was in Afrikaans was a bonus! I miss South Africa always and Afrikaans especially.

Before returning to SA for the filming, what did you expect from the production side, and how did this perception change after the filming was concluded?

Joz Malherbe, the Director, told me early on in the process that the crew would be small and handpicked by him due to a very low budget – so I knew that going in. The good news is that we had rehearsal time before we rolled. That helped a lot because all questions were answered off set. Production was hard as we had crew doing two jobs but it went smoothly and the South African crew did great as always.  Whenever I meet foreign directors they always hail the work ethic of the South African based movie crews!

 What was your final thoughts after seeing the final version for the first time?

Seeing the final cut of the film was very emotional for me because I had wanted for so long do a movie in Afrikaans again.

Impressed with the production myself, it is a pity that Covid-19 restrictions disallow Griekwastad’s release on the Big Screen currently.  How do you feel about a film of this nature being released to a Video on Demand Service?  Do you think the theatrical value will maintain its effectiveness?

I have no problem with the release of this film direct to Video on Demand.  It is the way all content will go in the future.  In fact, I pushed for it when the virus hit because it made sense to give people stuck at home something to watch.  Having said that, I would love to see it on a big screen and without subtitles that (to me) spoil the frame.  When I get back to SA later this year I will try to make a screening like that happen.

Have you ever followed the growth of Afrikaans Movie Industry whilst living in Los Angeles?

I attended the Silver Skerm Fees this year for the first time. The energy and spirit was truly an eye opener.  My sister fills me in every now and again but I had not been following the local Afrikaans scene. To see it blossoming and thriving now, is encouraging.

In Griekwastad, you played with some of our Veterans again like Lida Botha.  How was your experience and thoughts on our newer and younger talent that played with you? 

Working with all the SA talent was a wonderful experience. Actors are givers and this cast gave it their all, from the oldest to the youngest cast member.  Everybody pitched in and carried each other in the difficult scenes. The young actors were a revelation and I told them that a film like this comes along rarely and that they should embrace the process. 

What are your thoughts on young Jane de Wet and especially Alex van Dyk, playing alongside you as the Griekwastad murderer? 

Jane and Alex are the heart of the story and they were great.  Alex has all the tools to become a professional actor and future film maker and if he chooses that life he will be successful.

It was said during an interview with Alex van Dyk, that he has idolised you since your success in The Mummy.  Do you have any words of motivation, advice, or encouragements for him, and young actors like him, who are embarking on acting as a career? 

My advice to our young talent in SA would be to work in the industry here. The USA is not the centre of the film world.  Hollywood sounds glamorous and it is for about 5 seconds, but then it is the same old struggle to get ahead of the next guy.  It is easy for me to say stay and work there because I scratched the itch to go to Hollywood and found success.  But, I would say stay in SA and work towards building a thriving local movie scene.

You mostly get to play the parts of villains and bad guys –  but in Griekwastad, you portray the role of a non-fictional character. How do you approach a role like this, compared to the role of a fictional character? 

I have never had to portray a real or living person. I chose not to meet the real Dick de Waal up front because I come to the story with my own baggage as Arnold Vosloo.  Audiences know how I sound and look and I did not want to do anything to detract from that. I did not want the audience to be distracted by a “performance”.  My job was to be the vessel through which the audience discovers the twists and turns of the story. It is very hard to do nothing when the director says action but I had to contain myself for this film. If this was a film of another sort then I could have done something different, but because the story and people are so well known by South Africans, I had to chill in the role.

Were you aware of the Griekwastad Murders?  Did it influence your decision to agree to this role? 

I had never heard of the Griekwastad saga and it was not a factor in choosing to be part of the film.  The script was King and Tertius Kapp wrote a good one and that was the reason to do this film.

Would you return to South Africa to star in more movies, especially because of Hollywood not producing Afrikaans Features? I guess I am asking, did the Afrikaans bug bite?

Having worked in South Africa in Afrikaans, has turned me off working in the US.  I have no more real motivation to work at my craft in the USA anymore.  I am 57 years old now and all I would like to do is work in Afrikaans.   I am not sure what the future holds for me professionally but I wish and hope for it to be in South Africa.  Viva Afrikaans, my mother tongue!

Do you have any recent success stories, or major achievements back in the US, of which South Africans may not be aware of, or may not have heard of?

The last TV series I worked on was Season 2 of Jack Ryan with John Krasinksi as the lead.  It is on Amazon.

Do you have any final words for the SA Audiences who will be watching Griekwastad? 

To the audience in SA I would like to say that “Griekwastad” was executed by us to the best of our abilities.   We are very proud to share it with you and we look forward to feedback and the reaction after experiencing it.

The prospects sound promising to see more of Arnold Vosloo in locally produced films, but for now, you can see him back in SA, playing in his Mother tongue, when Griekwastad releases on DSTV Box Office, on 5 May 2020.  If you are not a DSTV subscriber, you can still catch it on https://boxoffice.dstv.com/

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The gritty crime-drama film tells the story of an aging, womanising, professional boxer from the Eastern Cape and his career-criminal brother who take one last shot at success and get more than they’ve bargained for. The opportunity to be part of Knuckle City arose when producer Layla Swart approached the NEF to close the gap left open by one of their investors to ensure that the movie was fully funded.

Swart and Qubeka are co-owners of Yellowbone Entertainment production house. The film was selected to participate in the Cinéfondation’s Atelier at Cannes, the biggest film festival in the world. In addition, the film was nominated to represent South Africa at the 2019 Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Foreign Language category. It went on to screen at festivals around the world and won many awards.

Knuckle City stars Bongile Mantsai, Siv Ngesi, Faniswa Yisa, Awethu Hleli, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Zolisa Xaluva, Owen Sejake and Angela Sithole. The film was produced by Yellowbone Entertainment for Mzansi Magic Movies. It was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Empowerment (NEF), the Department of Arts and Culture, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) with the support of the Buffalo City Municipality and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government.

Knuckle City is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution (IFD).

Knuckle City opens in cinema in South Africa on 28 February 2020.

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Marguerite van Eeden speel as Magdaleen, ’n gekultiveerde student, vasgekeer in die klein dorpie Potchefstroom, en sy smag na die liggies en kultuur van Londen. Na die aaklige verbrokkeling van haar verhouding, pak sy haar tasse en vertrek na haar droomstad saam met haar beste vriendin, Lara, soos vertolk deur Kenley Swart.

Hulle bly in Huis Konettie, saam met vyf ander Suid-Afrikaners wat in Londen werk. ’n Onverwagse romanse ontstaan ,tussen Mardaleen en haar Namibies-gebore huismaat, Hugo, gespeel deur Sean-Marco Vorster. Dit voel vir Magdaleen te goed om waar te wees en die oomblik wanneer dinge te ernstig raak en nie heeltemal verloop soos sy beplan nie, laat sy haar onsekerhede en vrese oorspoel in haar verhouding in.

Sy hardloop weg en gaan huis toe.

Hulle romanse vlam weer op wanneer hulle twee jaar later ontmoet, gevolg deur ’n uitnodiging van Hugo aan Mardaleen om vir hom in Namibië te gaan kuier. Haar naweek in Namibië ontaard in ’n nagmerrie. Afgesien hiervan, vra Hugo haar om te bly en om ’n nuwe lewe saam te bou, maar sy het ander planne en is hardkoppig.

Mardaleen wil kultuur, die stad en liggies hê – die plaas is nie ’n plek vir ’n meisie soos sy nie.

Met regie deur André Velts en Marius De Nysschen as kinematograaf, sluit die rolverdeling langsaan Marguerite Van Eeden, Sean-Marco Vorster en Kenley Swart, ander name in soos Amalia Uys, Pietie Beyers, Elani Dekker, Rick Strauss, Leché Joubert, Fiona Ramsey, Arno Greeff en vele meer.

Vergeet ook asseblief nie hierdie fliek se Hashtags nie: #VergeetMyNieFilm en #14Feb2020.

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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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In the local world of blessers, wealthy, middle-aged men lavish gifts and money on young women in return for companionship and more. But what happens when it all goes wrong?

Sexy new comedy Blessers, a topical and very funny look at the naughty lifestyles of Mzansi’s elite, is directed by Rea Rangaka and executive produced by entertainment entrepreneur Tbo Touch. The film stars Kenneth Nkosi in the role of Jacob Zulu, a business mogul who loves life and loves his family. But Jacob is lonely because his wife Michelle, played by Sonia Mbele withholds her affection and his daughter Natasha by Six Nyamane, is a demanding brat.

Jacob was drawn to Michelle, a businesswoman who comes from a wealthy family, because she is smart and sophisticated, but she’s also distant and he feels isolated. When a colleague convinces him to get involved in the blessers world, Jacob decides to put his money to good use and find young women he can ‘bless’.

But if you are a blesser, he points out, just remember that you are never in the selfies – those who are well trained know that the glamorous holiday pics are all about the girl.

Like Jacob, a blesser is usually a powerful businessman, who is either married, or has no desire for conventional dating, and he has lots of cash to spare. The blessee, meanwhile, is normally an attractive younger woman who can’t afford her luxury lifestyle.

The couple will usually establish a financial agreement early on. Some blessees ask for a monthly allowance, while other get ‘expenses’ in the form of overseas holidays and shopping sprees. A growing number of blessees are university students who get their blessers to pay their fees. They all demand the most expensive champagne and will drink it by the gallon, even if it gives them heartburn.

Blessees sometimes get bad press, because of the financial relationship with blessers, but the key difference between them and escorts is that they have a regular arrangement and usually get together several times a month. The arrangements are often mutually beneficial relationships with someone the women consider a friend.

Blessers opens in cinemas nationwide on 25 October and is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.

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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.

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With thanks to the Gravel Road Distribution Group, we are giving away a Double ticket to the South African VIP Premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now: Final Cut.

Francis Ford Coppola’s exhilarating masterpiece of 1979, Apocalypse Now, returns to the big screen in all its cinematic glory with a striking brand-new 4K, Dolby Atmos©, Dolby Vision © version.

Digitally remastered in 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos, under the direct supervision of Mr. Coppola himself, this is the film he wanted to make 40 years ago.

Tickets up for grabs are for the Red Carpet premier of the 40^th Anniversary release of Apocalypse Now, re-titled Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, to be held at the Mall of Africa in Midrand, on 14 August 2019.

Winners will come to experience this Masterpiece, on the IMAX Screen.

Apocalypse Now Competition is now closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on 13 August 2019.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times.
3. Seat allocations are up to the discretion of the promoters.
4. Tickets may not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
5. The prize comprises of two tickets per prize winner.
6. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
7. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
8. Prizes does not include accommodation and / or travel to and from the event.
9. Winners will be notified by mail.
10. One Entry per Email Address will be entered into the draw.

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Een les wat die lewe graag vir ’n mens wil leer, is dat niks ooit so eenvoudig is as wat dit mag voorkom nie. ’n Feit wat bevestig word deur regisseur Quentin Krog se splinternuwe rolprent, Ander Mens, wat net soos die hoofkarakter glad nie volgens ’n standaard-formule beoordeel kan word nie.

https://youtu.be/NM7zUkjcZ2c

Die fliek word aangebied vanuit die perspektief van Luitenant Erica Kruger, van die getuiebeskermingsprogram in die Kaap, en is gebaseer op die bekroonde skrywer, Zirk van den Berg  se topverkoperroman wat in 2014 bekroon is met die kykNET-Rapportprys in die rolprentkategorie.

Ander Mens vertel, met oorgenoeg aksie en donkerhumor om kykers op die punte van hulle stoele te hou, die spanningsvolle verhaal van ’n doodgewone en baie vervelige boekhouer, Daniël Niemand, wie se lewe onherroeplik verander nadat ’n reeks misverstande sy bestaan heeltemal omvergooi. Alhoewel die chaos tot groot tragedie lei, help dit hom ook om ’n belangrike persoonlike oorwinning te behaal.

Bennie is briljant in die rol van die bleeksiel, Daniël, wat sy hele lewe lank deur die mense rondom hom geboelie word. Sy saai bestaan verander egter gou in ’n nagmerrie wanneer ’n konfrontasie met sy huweliksberader, deur Tim Theron, skeefloop en sy skelm werkgewer en misdaadbaas, Frank Redelinghuys, gespeel deur Frank Opperman, hom help om die gemors skoon te maak.

Wanneer nuwe inligting Frank se aardsvyand, die polisieman Johannes Ackermann, deur James Borthwick die perfekte geleentheid gee om uiteindelik hierdie krimineel en sy broer Hansie, gespeel deur André Weideman vas te trek, word Daniël onwetend as lokaas gebruik en onder die toesig van Erica Kruger (Marlee van der Merwe) geplaas wat ’n paar donker geheime en agendas van haar eie het.

Ander sterre soos Jana Cilliers, Lika Berning, Clyde Berning, Neels van Jaarsveld, Laudo Liebenberg en meer is ook in die fliek te sien.

As regisseur, was Quentin ook baie oop vir kreatiewe voorstelle en verklap hy dat verskeie tonele op die laaste oomblik spontaan aangepas is as gevolg van die akteurs se interessante interpretasie daarvan.

Tussen die bloed en konsternasie deur, sal die kyker beslis gekonfronteer word met baie stereotipes, maar ook gou besef dat Ander Mens dieper temas soos afknouery, selfbeeld, respek, verhoudings, familiebande, geweld en misdaad aan die kaak stel, wys dat selfs die mees geharde persoonlikheid ook soms weerloos kan wees én dat ’n Niemand op die ou einde ook kan ontwikkel in ’n Iemand wat kan opstaan vir homself. Die rolprent beloof om gehore met tye te laat skaterlag as gevolg van spitsvondige dialoog en donker humor, asook te laat naels kou soos wat die gebeure ontvou en hulle besef dat dit elke mens se verantwoordelikheid is om sy eie identiteit in die lewe te bepaal.

Ander Mens is vervaardig deur Marche Media in samewerking met kykNET Films, M-Net Movies en die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid en word versprei deur Filmfinity (Edms) Bpk. en sal by plaaslike bioskope begin draai op 23 Augustus 2019.

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Vervaardiger Helena Spring het aangekondig dat die nalatenskap fliek, Poppie Nongena op 30 Januarie 2020 in fliekteaters landswyd uitgereik sal word. Die fliek is gebaseer op die bekroonde boek “Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena” deur Elsa Joubert.

Clementime Mosimane maak haar rolprentdebuut as Poppie. Die res van die rolverdeling sluit groot name in, soos Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Dawid Minnaar, Rolanda Marais en Lida Botha.  Nomsa Nene, wat die naamrol vertolk het in die verhoogproduksie Poppie – wat ook van 1982 tot 1984 internasionaal opgevoer is – vertolk die rol van Poppie se ma.

Poppie Nongena vertel die aangrypende verhaal van ʼn Afrikaanssprekende Xhosa-vrou wie se lewe om haar gesin draai terwyl sy probeer om stabiliteit te vind in ʼn era van ondraaglike onrus in Suid-Afrika. Dit speel in ʼn tyd af waarin swart vroue deur boetes, arrestasies en gedwonge verskuiwings gedwing is om hul tuistes te verlaat om in afgeleë gebiede, die sg. swart tuislande, ʼn nuwe lewe te gaan begin.

Wanneer Stone, Poppie se man, te siek word om te werk, beskou die owerhede haar skielik as ʼn  onwettige burger in haar eie land. Sy voer ʼn desperate stryd om wettiglik te mag bly, al beteken dit sy moet van huis na huis trek en gedurig aansoek doen vir permitte en verdere uitstel. Poppie werp alles in die stryd om nie van haar kinders geskei te word nie. Maar uiteindelik word sy vasgevang in die spervuur van haar kinders se behoeftes, haar man se siekte, ʼn gemeenskap se woede en onderdrukkende wette. In 1976 – net toe die onluste uitbreek – word Poppie uiteindelik gedwing om die stryd gewonne te gee.

Die roman is wyd geloof en word steeds beskou as baanbrekerswerk in die Afrikaans letterkunde. Dis binne die eerste vier maande drie maal herdruk en uiteindelik in dertien tale vertaal. Plaaslik is dit bekroon met die W.A. Hofmeyr-, CNA- en Louis Luyt-prys. Die British Royal Society het Joubert bekroon met die Winifred Holtby-prys en sy is in 1981 aangewys as ʼn “Fellow of the Society”. Joubert se latere werk is bekroon met talle plaaslike en internasionale pryse, onder meer die Hertzogprys, die mees gesogte prys in die Afrikaanse letterkunde.

Die veelbekroonde dramaturg en regisseur Christiaan Olwagen het die regie behartig, en Vicci Turpin was verantwoordelik vir die kinematografie. Olwagen was die regisseur van drie vorige rolprente (Die Seemeeu, Johnny is nie dood nie en Kanarie). Die draaiboek is deur Olwagen en die bekroonde dramaturg Saartjie Botha verwerk.

Poppie Nongena word moontlik gemaak deur kykNET, M-Net, FilmFinity, Die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid en Arco. Dit word landswyd in rolprentteaters in Januarie 2020 bekendgestel.

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Francis Ford Coppola’s exhilarating masterpiece of 1979, Apocalypse Now, returns to the big screen in all its cinematic glory with a striking brand-new 4K, Dolby Atmos©, Dolby Vision © version.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Oscar-winning Vietnam cult war epic this summer, Gravel Road Distribution Group will release a special, never-before-seen cut, restored with breath-taking realism by Coppola himself, to the highest and finest audio and visual standards, for a truly visceral cinematic experience.

Forty years after its original release, South African audiences will get the chance to experience Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, a never-before-seen and newly restored cut of Coppola’s spectacular cinematic masterpiece in a way which the director believes “looks better than it has ever looked and sounds better than it has ever sounded“. Coppola said that he is “thrilled beyond measure to present the best version of the film to the world.” It will release in all seven IMAX theatres in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, from 23 – 29 August 2019.

Restored from the original negative for the first time ever, Apocalypse Now: Final Cut is Coppola’s most complete version of his multi-awarded classic, a haunting journey into madness that fascinated generations of movie lovers and now feels even more monumentally alive than ever before. Ranked as one of the best films of all times, the film stars Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Albert Hall, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, G.D. Spradlin, Dennis Hopper, Sam Bottoms and Frederic Forrest.

Apocalypse Now was nominated for 8 Academy Awards® (including Best Picture) and won 2 Academy Awards® for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, 2 BAFTAs for Best Direction and Best Best Supporting Actor and the Palme d’Or in Cannes. Starring Academy Award winner Marlon Brando (1972, Best Actor, The Godfather), Academy Award winner Robert Duvall (1983, Best Actor, Tender Mercies), Golden Globewinner Martin Sheen (2001, Best Actor – TV Series, “The West Wing”), Academy Award nominee Dennis Hopper (1986, Best Supporting Actor, Hoosiers), Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne (1993, Best Actor, What’s Love Got to Do with it), and Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (1985, Best Actor, Witness).

The film follows Army Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), a troubled man sent on a dangerous and mesmerizing odyssey into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade American colonel named Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has succumbed to the horrors of war and barricaded himself in a remote outpost.

The best visual and sound technologies have been used to present Coppola’s true vision of the film: one that delivers deep, visceral visual and auditory impact. “The audience will be able to see, hear and feel this film how I always hoped it could be—from the first ‘bang’ to the final whimper” said Coppola.

This is the first time the original negative has ever been scanned and over 11 months and 2,700 hours were spent on cleaning and restoring the film’s 300,173 frames. The Apocalypse Now: Final Cut restoration has been brought to life through ultra-vivid picture quality with Dolby Vision®, delivering spectacular colours never before seen on a screen, with highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker.

Apocalypse Now Final Cut has been mixed in Dolby Atmos® to offer a truly immersive sound experience and it has been enhanced Meyer Sound Laboratories’ newly developed Sensual SoundTM, a technology engineered to output audio below the limits of human hearing.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on 28th April 2019 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the following IMAX theatres, in South Africa on 23 August 2019: Bay West, Cape Gate, Cradlestone Mall, Eastgate, Gateway, the Grove and Mall of Africa.

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