'Long Walk' on a winning run

04 April 2014 - 02:07 By Andile Ndlovu and Tymon Smith
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Saftas. File photo
Saftas. File photo

Barring any major shocks, telenovela-turned-soapie Isibaya, and the Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk to Freedom, should walk away with the biggest prizes at tomorrow night's South African Film and Television Awards.

In the Best Feature Film category, the controversial Jahmil XT Qubeka-directed feature Of Good Report (nominated 12 times), Justin Chadwick's Long Walk to Freedom and Barry Berk's Sleeper's Wake are nominees. But it is expected to be a two-horse race between Of Good Report and Long Walk to Freedom.

Denied classification by the Film and Publications Board ahead of its opening night screening at last year's Durban International Film Festival, Qubeka's thriller is on intellectual and aesthetic standards the better of the two films.

But it doesn't have the international reach of the Idris Elba and Naomie Harris-led Mandela biopic.

It seems nigh-on impossible that producer Anant Singh's Long Walk will not go home with all the awards tomorrow night, which may leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those who think such awards should reward integrity and vision in the work of local filmmakers.

Mzansi Magic's Isibaya should pick a slew of gongs from the 12 for which it is nominated, including Best TV Soap (the only category left to a public vote), Best Writing Team of a TV Soap, and Best Ensemble in a TV Soap.

Actresses Thembi Nyandeni (Mkabayi Zungu), Celeste Ntuli (Siphokazi Zungu) and actors Sdumo Mtshali (Sbu Ndlovu), Bongani Gumede (Mandla Ndlovu), and Siyabonga Thwala (Mpiyakhe Zungu) dominate in the acting categories.

Isibaya scooped 10 awards from a possible 18 at last month's inaugural Royalty Soapie Awards.

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