South African film Carissa has been chosen to be included in the Final Cut section at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The choice for the film to be included in the Final Cut is a significant achievement, highlighting the ‘growing prominence of African cinema on the world stage’.
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The Final Cut is a program supporting post-production for films from Africa and the Middle East, according to the Design Indaba website.
Carissa is a powerful film that delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the human spirit, with the compelling story of its title character as its centrepiece, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Cederberg mountains.
Through the lens of a traditional lifestyle in the rural mountainscape, Carissa captures the conflict of the villagers of a rural community as a multinational business plans to build a luxury golf estate, challenging their way of life.
Carissa was written by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, who also served as producers alongside Deidré Jantjies and Annemarie du Plessis for Cape Town-based Na Aap Prods.
This recognition at Venice marks a milestone for Carissa and South African cinema, showcasing the country’s ‘creative potential and storytelling prowess’.
As Carissa continues to garner attention from all over the globe, it paves the way for more African voices to be heard in the global film industry, which celebrates the richness and diversity of African stories.
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Picture: FIFF, Festival International du Film de Fribourg / Facebook