Western Cape film chosen to compete at Academy Awards

Western Cape film heading to the Academy Awards

South Africa has selected Old Righteous Blues, the drama by Muneera Sallies, to compete for the Best International Feature Film award at next year’s 97th Academy Awards.

As reported by Cape Town Etc, the National Film and Video Foundation recently announced the film as one of the last entries announced for the category.

The South African Academy Awards Selection Committee made their decision after an extensive judging process, which included scored reviews and thorough deliberations.

What’s Old Righteous Blues about?

The film, which centre’s around a young man’s pursuit to unite a broken community by restoring the Old Righteous Blues Christmas Choir Band (Kerskoor) to its former glory, was inspired by an original idea from writer and producer Carol Shore, who has long-since had the desire to create a film about the Kerskoor band.

“It is an intense glimpse into the life of a young man, a family, and a community. More than that it is an intense glimpse into a journey and into the heart of brotherhood, tapping into immense stores of pain, love, dreams, and courage,” Muneera Sallies said.

“Old Righteous Blues is a deeply moving narrative about a young man’s journey to overcome personal limitations and rise above the ghosts of the past to unite a fractured community. Set against the backdrop of a divided town, the film follows the protagonist as he attempts to restore the once-glorious Old Righteous Blues Christmas Choir Band (Kerskoor) to its former stature. However, he is confronted with the long-standing consequences of a bitter feud started by his father two decades earlier, which split the choir in two and devastated the community. For twenty years, street battles ensued, families were torn apart, and loyalties were tested as the two rival bands claimed ownership of the town’s Kerskoor with destructive and violent consequences.” the National Film and Video Foundation wrote in their release.

Catch a glimpse of the film below:

Already a winner

The movie has also already won its share of awards: 11 altogether at Silwerskermfees, Romford Film Festival 2024 and Panther City Film Festivals.

Some of the awards include:

• Best Supporting Actor Silwerskermfees 2023: Joshwin Dyson,
• Best Director Romford Film Festival 2024: Muneera Sallies,
• Best Actor Romford Film Festival 2024: Ayden Croy, and
• Best Supporting Actor Panther City Film Festival 2024: Stefan Erasmus.