Synopsis
Elelwani and her boyfriend are in love and plan to spend the rest of their lives together. They are both educated and live urban lives with aspirations to travel abroad. After the University graduation Elelwani returns to her family in the rural countryside to introduce her boyfriend and announce their future plans. But the weight of tradition bears heavily on her family and they refuse to accept the union. The father wants his daughter to become the wife of the local king, despite her insistent refusal. What unfolds is a secret hidden by the royal family from the community and Elelwani is destined to uncover these mysteries and deceptions.
Technical Information
2012; South Africa; Drama, Women; 103 minutes; DCP, HDCAM-SR; 1:2.35; 5.1 mix; Original Language: Tshivenda; Subtitles: English
DIRECTOR
Ntshavheni Wa Luruli
WRITER
Ntshavheni Wa Luruli
D.O.P.
Lance Gewer
EDITOR
Aryan Kaganof
MUSIC
Christopher Letcher
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Ketso Gordhan, Florence Masebe
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Shadowy Meadows Production Blackboard Trust
CO-PRODUCER
Jyoti Mistry
PRODUCER
Florian Schattauer
Elelwani
Florence Masebe
Vele
Ashifashabba Muleya
Thovhele
Vusi Kunene
NTSHAVHENI WA LURULI
After completing a BA in Dramatic Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, Ntshavheni went on to study a master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting and Directing at Columbia University under the tutorship of Milos Forman. Winning the Paramount Picture Writing Award in 1989 with Rambani, Ntshavheni then worked as assistant director to Spike Lee on features including MALCOLM X, and Jungle Fever. Ntshavheni wrote THE RAINBOW CALLABASH, a feature -length film for SABC in 1994 and was Head Writer for 26 episodes drama series SUCCESS/KGATELOEPE, for SABC in 1996. He directed Chikin Biznis in 1999 for M-Net. Ntshavheni is also a lecturer at the Department of Journalism, Film and Television at the University of Johannesburg. In 2004, his film THE WOODEN CAMERA won the Crystal Bear at the Berlinale for Best Youth film.
Selective Filmography
Feature Film
2003 The Wooden Camera
1999 Chikin Biznis: The Whole Story!
TV Series
1994 Soul City
2017
6TH AFRICAN FILM WEEK ATHENS
Mar 16 – 22
1ST AFRICAN FILM WEEK THESSALONIKI
Feb 16 – 22
2014
Los Angeles –
ACADEMY AWARD
South Africa Academy Award Entry
Dec 24
Sep 10 – 14
AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARD
Achievement In Production Design
Apr 01
AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARD
Best Actress In A Leading Role
Apr 01
COLOURS OF THE NILE INT. FILM FESTIVAL
Mar 24 – 31
CINEMA AFRIKA – KINEMATHEK KARLSRUHE
Mar 06 – 08
2013
AFRICAN DIASPORA INT. FILM FESTIVAL
Nov 29 – Dec 15
TALLINN BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
Nov 15 – Dec 01
Sep 19 – 22
AFRIKANISCHE KINOWELTEN
Sep 18 – 18
Aug 22 – 25
Jul 03 – 04
Jun 05 – 12
AFRICAN CARNIVAL
May 24 – 26
Apr 17 – 28 (in competition)
Mar 18 – 24
FESPACO – PANAFRICAN FILM & TV FESTIVAL
Feb 23 – Mar 03
BERLINALE FORUM
Feb 14
2012
Jul 19 – 29
Vandals Took The Handle (Blog)
A decade of work and passion had gone into making something that will become an important milestone in South African cinema history. […] This film is a window into Venda culture. […] As much as it is a cultural expose, it really is a brilliantly told story, beautifully shot, with solid performances from the key characters. A couple of unexpected plot developments and one or two rather well conceived twists make the film a joy to sit through.
2012-07-21
The Witness
Ntshaveni wa Luruli’s film Elelwani is a textured cinematic benchmark that comes in the wake of years of steadily building momentum. From the onset the film operates on a premise that is both shaky and interesting. It is the first feature film in Tshivenda which means already-at least socially the film bares the responsibility of taking the battle to ligitimise this language into the South African mainstream-to the next level. […] This however is not a film that is part of what I often call voucher cinema – aiming to tick all the right boxes on route to box office returns without making a dent in the cultural landscape. Refreshingly it is also not a manifesto for liberal values taking place in a rural setting; rather it is a comparative study about how two eras of a culture are at loggerheads as they battle for relevance in the contemporary. […] Elelwani is a film that South Africans deserve. A mastered film that is relevant without feeling too self-consciously and quintessentially South African.
2012-07-21
Durbanisyours (Blog)
Elelwani, is a look into a culture that many of us really don’t know much about […] The issues of gender inequality and cultural significance in the modern world are incredibly relevant to this country at this time. Although this is one of those films that deals with “issues” and will probably go down as an important film in South African film history […]
2012-07-21
City Press
A film that will […] hold its own in the decades to come.
2012-07-21
Umhlanga Life
[…] Beautifully shot by Cinematographer Lance Gewer one gets a different viewpoint of the cultures and traditions of the Venda people. There is some wonderful music in this movie and the soundtrack is brilliant. It really does add another dimension. You almost find yourself in a surreal landscape. Almost as if David Lynch went to Africa.
2012-07-23
Screen Africa Magazine
[…] Director Ntshavheni wa Luruli, a humble and unassuming personality, has not only made history, he’s made a beautiful film. If you’re a film lover, it’s difficult not to feel euphoric when you have a great cinematic experience.
2012-10-01
