News
D FILMS TAKES ALL CANADIAN RIGHTS TO HISTORICAL DRAMA WINNIE STARRING OSCAR® WINNER JENNIFER HUDSON AND
OSCAR® NOMINATED TERRENCE HOWARD, FROM EQUINOXE FILMS
SOUTH AFRICA-CANADA CO-PRODUCTION TO START SHOOTING
ON MAY 31, 2010
For immediate release
Toronto, Ontario – May 7, 2010 – – D Films has acquired all Canadian rights in all media to South African filmmaker Darrell Roodt’s historical drama WINNIE, a South Africa-Canada co-production starring Academy® Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in the role of Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Academy® Award-nominated and Iron Man actor Terrence Howard will star alongside Hudson as Nelson Mandela. The announcement was made today by President and CEO of D Films, Jim Sherry and by President and CEO of Equinoxe Films, Michael Mosca.
WINNIE is inspired by the life of Winnie Mandela, one of the world’s most charismatic, yet enigmatic women. It will be directed by one of South Africa’s most talented filmmakers, Darrell Roodt (Cry the Beloved Country, Sarafina) from a screenplay by Darrell Roodt, Paul Johnson & André Pieterse, based on the book "Winnie Mandela – A Life" by Anné Mariè du Preez Bezdrob. Produced by Michael Mosca of Equinoxe Films and by André Pieterse of Ma-Afrika Films, principal photography will commence on May 30, 2010 in South Africa, in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.
This intimate, in-depth and unbiased film will take the audience on a remarkable journey of understanding Winnie Mandela, exploring both her personal and political life. Through her fierce determination and dauntless courage, Winnie Mandela survived her husband’s imprisonment, continuous harassment by the security police, banishment to a small Free State town, betrayal by friends and allies, and more than a year in solitary confinement – all the while keeping the name of Nelson Mandela alive. A sensitive and balanced portrayal, the film nevertheless thoroughly investigates and honestly examines the controversies that dogged Winnie Mandela in recent years.
Commenting on the deal Sherry said: "We are proud to be partners with Equinoxe on this powerful and passionate film. It’s exciting to be involved in a project with such a talented filmmaker and production team and the stellar cast they have attracted. We look forward to bringing WINNIE to Canadian audiences."
"We’re very happy to be working with Jim Sherry and his team at D Films," said Michael Mosca. "I’m confident that WINNIE is in very capable hands, and I can’t think of a better marketing and distribution partner to handle this film in Canada."
ABOUT D FILMS
D FILMS is a Toronto-based, full service marketing and motion picture distribution boutique that acquires exclusive, long term rights to films across all platforms, including theatrical, television, home entertainment and internet. Launched in September, 2009, D Films is headed by distribution veterans Jim Sherry and Tony Cianciotta. The company’s first acquisition under the D Films banner was Creation, which had its world premiere as the prestigious Opening Night Gala at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Current and upcoming releases include the War II epic Max Manus which will also be released by D Films in the U.S. this June, and the thriller, Tehroun. The family film Sophie and action/drama A Million Colours are both currently in production and will be released in the Fall, 2010.
D FILMS recently signed an exclusive, multi-picture, DVD distribution deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Canada (SPHEC).
ABOUT EQUINOXE FILMS
EQUINOXE FILMS is a major, vertically integrated film and television producer and distributor of quality motion pictures for theatrical, home entertainment and television release. Equinoxe’s 2010 production slate includes two feature films co-produced with South Africa: A Million Colours, and Winnie, starring Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, as well as A Fish Story, an uplifting family drama penned by Sam Roberts and directed by Matt Birman. On the distribution side, Equinoxe has service output deals for Quebec with the Walt Disney Studios, Maple Pictures (which includes films from Lionsgate and Miramax), MGM and D Films.