Jock gets ready for red-carpet moment

10 July 2011 - 02:38 By MONICA LAGANPARSAD
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Plucky Jock and his friends - and enemies - in the animated version of this classic tale
Plucky Jock and his friends - and enemies - in the animated version of this classic tale

In just nine days a South African legend comes to life. That is when the red carpet will be rolled out for the premiere of the country's first feature-length, 3-D animated film, Jock of the Bushveld.

Adapted from the classic South African novel, it tells the epic, true-life story of a man and his faithful dog, Jock.

The world premiere of the film at Johannesburg's Montecasino will be in keeping with the spirit of conservation - with all proceeds going to an anti-poaching campaign, the Rhino Action Group Effort (Rage).

Andy Rice, the head of marketing for the film, said VIP guests would include Canadian rock star Bryan Adams, who provided the voice for the hero and also wrote some music for the film.

Others include musician Johnny Clegg - whose hit Spirit of the Great Heart featured in a previous Jock film - Craig Hinds of rock group Watershed and songbird Nianell.

Other voices in the movie include those of multiple award-winner Donald Sutherland, Oscar winner Helen Hunt and TV and film star Ted Danson.

Rice said the R500 tickets for the event would ensure guests received "the full Hollywood experience".

"All the money goes to charity. It's the hottest movie meets the hottest cause.

"Tickets are selling fast, and there already 880 people attending. After the movie, the VIP guests will be invited to an after-party (at the casino complex)," he said.

Original sketches from the movie would also be auctioned at the after-party.

He said the film's creators would be meeting studio executives in Los Angeles in a few weeks to discuss plans for international distribution.

"There's a great deal of interest, but international distributors want to watch the full-length movie first.

"We are confident it will go beyond our borders."

Sir Percy Fitzpatrick wrote the book as a memoir of his time spent during the Eastern Transvaal gold rush in the late 19th century.

It tells how Fitzpatrick took an interest in Jock and how the runt of the litter eventually became the champion of the Bushveld .

The latest film version is brought to life in animation for countrywide release at the end of the month.

Jock apparel is already available in major retail stores.

South African-born actor Theo Landey, who did the voice-over for Fitzpatrick, said the film had the potential to outshine Shrek, the franchise of animated films about an ugly green ogre.

In 2001, Shrek won the first Oscar for an animated feature film.

Landey, who is appearing in the stage production of The History Boys at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, is probably best known in South Africa for his role as Wayne Drew in the e.tv soap Scandal!

The actor said: "An animated 3-D film is really important, as it breaks new ground and lets the world know that we can compete and create right up there with the best.

"Hopefully, any success the film has will attract future animated and 3-D productions to our shores."

Landey, who read the book several times, said: "The film is uniquely South African, the story is a classic and the artwork is brilliant.

"The ending in the book and movie will leave you reaching for the tissues."

The Cape Town premiere will be held on July 21 at Cavendish Square and will be attended by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has a cameo role in the movie, giving voice to the spiritual leader, Tata.

Proceeds from that event will go to Tutu's favourite charity, Tygerberg Children's Hospital.

The Durban premiere is on July 20 at the Gateway shopping centre, with all proceeds going to The WILD Foundation.

  • Jock of the Bushveld opens at more than 80 theatres around the country on July 29. Tickets can be obtained by e-mailing ingrid@jock-animation.co.za
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