EMBARGOED UNTIL 19H00 ON SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST
30th Durban International Film Festival
23 July to 2 August 2008
Award-winners included Oliver Hermanus's graduation feature film "Shirley Adams" and the headline in the official paper news coverage said: "Shirley Adams" cleans up.
The Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Shirley Adams, directed by first-time filmmaker Oliver Hermanus. The jury praised the film’s “true excellence in performance, cinematography, directing, and editing”. Calling it a South African masterpiece, the jury commented: “Through a meticulously observed minimalism, the film tackles numerous relevant social issues with both subtlety and a mature sensitivity. Its themes of love, human endurance, and forgiveness are universal, and give it audience appeal both locally and abroad.” The Best First Feature Film was also awarded to Shirley Adams. The Jury noted: “Shirley Adams is a special movie in which the director takes a number of risks. Moving his camera around as if it was an extra character in the story, he follows his main actress ceaselessly. The result is a powerful movie with great emotions that works all the more since the emotions mostly stay beneath the surface. And these emotions are definitely felt by the viewer.” Combined with the Best Actress award for Denise Newman, Shirley Adams hauled in an impressive 3 awards at the festival. The jury called Newman’s performance riveting and extraordinary. “She leads the character through intense feelings, emotions and determination whilst holding onto her pride and never giving up. She captured the true essence of this character and led us carefully and sensitively on her journey form beginning to end.”
The International Jury comprised filmmakers Tunde Kelani (Nigeria) and Cheick Oumar Sissoko (Mali), actress Rosie Tebogo Motene (South Africa) and Gert Jan Zuilhof (The Netherlands), programmer at International Film Festival Rotterdam.