Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema
| Jerusalema | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ralph Ziman |
| Written by | Ralph Ziman |
| Produced by | Ralph Ziman Tendeka Matatu |
| Cinematography | Nic Hofmeyer |
| Edited by | David Helfand Bert Lovitt |
| Music by | Alan Ari Lazar |
| Distributed by | United Int'l Pictures |
Release date | 29 August 2008 (South Africa) |
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | South Africa |
Jerusalema is a 2008 South African crime film written and directed by Ralph Ziman. The South African film was submitted to the Academy Awards for consideration to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, but it was not nominated.
Production
Jerusalema is based on the story of Lucky Kunene, an underworld figure who in the 1990s took over real estate in the Hillbrow neighborhood in Johannesburg, South Africa. The film is produced by Tendeka Matatu and written and directed by Ralph Ziman.[1] Matatu said the characters were based on sketches from their research for the film. The producer said of the roles' background, "During the research of the script we came across many MK vets who are living on the very edge of poverty and who, after fighting for a better life for all, now feel betrayed."[2]
Cast
- Rapulana Seiphemo ... Lucky Kunene
- Jeffrey Zekele .... Nazareth
- Robert Hobbs ... Detective Swart
Release
Jerusalema premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on 11 February 2008. The film was commercially released in South Africa on 29 August 2008, and the film was well-received by critics and audiences. Jerusalema grossed US$400,000 at 14 theaters in the course of a month. The South African film was submitted to the Academy Awards for consideration to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film.[1] The film was expected to succeed Tsotsi as the next South African contender for the award, but Ziman's film was not selected.[3]
The film was criticized by the Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans Association for its portrayal of the military veterans. Its national chairperson, Kebby Maphatsoe, said, "The insult is painful as it does not afford the people of South Africa and our children the opportunity to learn the truth about their history."[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b De Jager, Christelle (7 October 2008). "Oscar gets trip to 'Jerusalema'". Variety. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ a b Alfreds, Duncan (19 September 2008). "Jerusalema raises the bar". News24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Jerusalema not selected for Oscar 2009 nominations". nfvfco.va. National Film and Video Foundation. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)
External links
- Jerusalema at IMDb