Materialpresskit2012
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1 Contents 1. Film Information 2. Synopsis 3. Director’s Statment 4. Production Note 5. Key Biographies 6. Production Stills 7. Credits For further information, please contact Producer: International Sales Zukrafin Videovision Entertainment Ronnie Apteker Sanjeev Singh [email protected] [email protected] +27 11 575 0999 (ofce) +27 31 204 6000 (ofce) 2 Film Information Title: MATERIAL Format: 35 mm Audio: Dolby Digital Length: 93 minutes 1.Writer/Director: Craig Freimond 2. Producers: Ronnier Apteker Robbie Thorpe 3. Executive Producers: Tendeka Matatu Ivan Epstein Stephen Cohen Anant Singh 4.Co-Producers: Akin Omotso Kgomotso Matsunyane 5. International Sales: Videovision Entertainment 6.Key Cast: Vincent Ebrahim (The Kumars at No.42) Riaad Moosa (Long Walk to Freedom) Joey Rasdien (Bunny Chow) Denise Newman (Shirley Adams, Disgrace) 3 Synopsis Logline: “Life is not a funny business” CASSIM is a young Muslim man working in his father’s (EBRAHIM) textile store. It’s Ebrahim’s dream for Cassim to take over the shop, but Cassim has discovered a talent for stand-up comedy, and he soon finds himself in direct conflict with his father, his family and his community. Synopsis: Cassim Kaif is a young Muslim man who works in his father’s (Ebrahim Kaif) fabric shop. It is Ebrahim’s dream for Cassim to take over the shop. The shop is not in a great part of town and is battling to survive. Ebrahim is embroiled in a thirty-year feud with his brother over a matter of political principle, while the brothers new shop has flourished Ebrahim’s shop is struggling. This increases Ebrahim’s need for Cassim to take over the shop and make a success of it. Meanwhile.... Cassim has discovered that he has a talent for stand-up comedy. He’s funny and those in the know tell him he has the talent to go far. He doesn’t know what this all means, all he knows is that he loves it and wants to pursue it. The problem is he hasn’t told his father about this other life. When Ebrahim finds out about the stand up comedy, Cassim finds himself in direct conflict with his father, his family and his community. His father demands that he make a choice. Material is a warm, funny and emotional look at the struggles of a Muslim family facing the modern world, exploring, destiny, responsibility and what family really means. The film is entirely set in the Indian enclave of Forsdburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Director’s Statement Eight years ago, after meeting comedian Riaad Moosa and hearing his life story, I set out to make a film about a young Muslim man who wanted to be a stand-up comedian. I wanted the film to be about an individual trying to balance his own dreams against the expectations of his family and his community. As part of my research I spent many months in the historic Muslim enclave of Fordsburg, Johannesburg. This was an area that had been completely shaped by the political history of South Africa, caught up in the forced removals of the early seventies, the community had been torn apart emotionally and geographically. As a result contemporary Fordsburg felt like a bastion of tradition reluctantly being infiltrated by the 21st century. In short, a unique setting for the film. Like Fordsburg, the central family needed to be in a state of flux, a traditional Muslim family being infiltrated by modern urban life and all its idiosyncrasies. I wanted, Riaad Moosa to play the lead (CASSIM), he has all the qualities of a star and it was his story, but I knew that it would require a strong supporting cast to make the film excel. In the end I was fortunate in attracting a unique ensemble, comedians like Joey Rasdien (YUSUF) together with veteran actors like Denise Newman (FATIMA) and London based actor, Vincent Ebrahim who plays the father (EBRAHIM). Originally from South Africa but best known for his role in the “Kumars at No. 42”, 4 Vincent drew on his own personal experience to create a far richer, complex and layered character to the one I had originally written, his performance combined with Riaad’s are the heart and soul of the film. Finally, it was important that the film be both funny and poignant, for the audience to laugh and to cry, and for those forces to work together in a film that is authentically South African. I certainly believe MATERIAL has achieved some of these aspirations and I hope you love it. Craig Freimond - Johannesburg, August 2012 Production Note Q&A with Producer Ronnie Apteker Q: When did you first meet Riaad Moosa, and what was the first thing he said that made you laugh? A: I met Riaad on stage in Cool Runnings in December of 2001. I was getting guidance from John Vlismas and that Sunday night is when the first seeds were sown. John was a champion. My comedy set went down good - not fantastic, but good - Riaad, John, Bevan, Tshepo, Darren, they were all on the bill - it was an adrenalin filled night. Riaad hit himself with the microphone on his head and fell down on the stage. My mother and brother were there that night. The whole thing was magical. Riaad made me feel right at home. I could see a warm and talented man, who was kind and sensitive. Everyone said so many funny things. I can't remember the first thing he said that made me laugh, but when he fell down on the stage with that one gag he prepared, I thought "Boy, he is one brave guy." Q: What did you say to make him laugh? A: I wish I could remember. I was so nervous. I have done so many corporate presentations and public speaking functions, but, this was my first time trying out a stand-up comedy event. They all made me laugh that night. I remember Tshepo's one line - he said, "What do you call a blow job from a midget?" "A low job." Riaad also did magic tricks back then. He trained at the Magic College in Cape Town. His first comedy gigs had magic tricks and he was just hypnotic to watch. I can’t remember what I said to make him laugh. Perhaps it was something along the lines of "Hey, do you want to make a movie one day." Q: What do you think makes Riaad stand out as a standup? A: So many of the comedians in South Africa are fantastic. And most of them have a unique style and approach, and it is amazing to see how comedy in South Africa, like sports, has become a valued exercise. But, with each step forward into the bigger picture, with each monetary advancement, so do egos swell, and attitudes grow. But not Dr. Riaad Moosa. His humility and compassion is inspiring. And his warmth and sensitivity refreshing. He is a professional artist whose heart, and head, are in the right place. Also, like Bill Cosby and Jerry Seinfeld, Riaad's comedy is clean and sharp. It does not offend anyone, and his jokes about Indians are akin to Jackie Mason's jokes about Jewish culture. In short: Riaad is universal in his appeal, and a pleasure to work with. Q: Where did the idea to make a movie about Riaad come from? A: Carl Fischer at M-Net handed me a rough cut of Gums & Noses to watch and I was amazed at what the film making team had created here. Craig Freimond knows how to tell a story, and he understands about character development. Carl then gave me Craig's number and we met. 5 From there we got to know each other and Craig went to watch Riaad perform his special brand of magic. I had a vision and also, I had written a short story about Riaad's life. This became the foundation for the movie we are making now. Craig then spent 7 years with Riaad, Robbie, myself, and a host of others, writing and refining this beautiful and magical script. Craig deserves all the credit that is coming his way - this has been a true labour of love, and a fantastic collaboration. Q: Why was Riaad's profession changed from medical doctor in the script from the movie? A: Craig argued, rightfully so, that the script had become too big, too complicated, too all over the place. The best things in life are simple. There is genius in simplicity. It takes real talent, and effort, to be simple. Like that old saying goes "I would send you a shorter mail but I don't have time." Q: How much of the movie is a true story? A: The story was inspired by Riaad Moosa. The central conflict was made up, but it was underpinned by real world pressures. It is not accepted for a Muslim to go into a bar - it is considered Haraam. The story has been embellished, but its essence is true. Q: Do you see any connections or similarities between Riaad's story of growing up and finding his "purpose", and your own story? A: I believe that the reason this film feels so right, so pure, is because of this exact question you ask here. Riaad is a man with a purpose, and I have been driven here by a strong sense of purpose. We are all doing what we do best, and together, we form a focused machine. Now, the question is, will this machine produce something magical in the end? If it does, then the similarities were all written in the stars.