Felix, played withe intuitive charm and talent by Hlayani Junior Mabasa is a new South African family feature film that won the Audience Award: Best Film at Durban International Film Festival. Felix has deservedly garnered rave reviews!
This heart warming film has an all-star cast, including Joburg-born Oscar-nominee Dame Janet Suzman (Nicholas and Alexandra, Nuns on the Run, Labyrinthe) in her first South African film; South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) Best Actress winner Linda Sokhulu (Isidingo, Generations, Sokhulu & Partners) in her feature debut; and newcomer Hlayani Junior Mabasa, who was cast in the title role from over 400 auditions across the country. You will also have fun spotting well know South African actors who make up the strong cast.
The story is simple but perfectly evocative. 14-year-old Felix Xaba dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, but his mother Lindiwe thinks jazz is the devil’s music. When Felix leaves his township friends to take up a scholarship at an elitist private school, he defies his mother and turns to two aging members of his father’s old band to help him prepare for the school jazz concert.
“Honestly there aren’t many unputdownable scripts – this was one of the few. I found the script utterly charming. I turned the pages with great delight, which doesn’t often happen. Normally you turn them very slowly. There are not loads of good scripts from the South African film industry; there are not loads of good scripts from anywhere. When you come across a good script, your little heart leaps with delight like a gazelle.” Dame Janet Suzman, who plays Mrs Cartwright
Described as “Billy Elliott with African jazz,” Felix is based on Shirley Johnston’s acclaimed script, which won Sithengi’s 2004 Writer’s Forum Award; was a finalist in the US Specscriptacular Competition; and was a quarter-finalist in both Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest and the Moondance Screenwriting Competition.
Felix opens this weekend at cinemas throughout South Africa – rush out and ENJOY!
Some of the RAVE REVIEWS:
Felix is one of the most delightful film experiences I have had in years.” Anton Dekker, News24
“A coming-of-age story of courage, ambition and letting go, not only for Felix but also for his mother… A worthy contender with any Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a witty, well-executed feature that will entertain and inspire.” Danica Hansen, City Press
“You won’t be able to resist Felix‘s upbeat tempo, jolly disposition, feel-good music, sharp-witted script and spirited underdog story.”
Stephen Aspeling, Spling, in an 8/10 review
“A charming family film anchored firmly by the effortless central performance from Hlayani Mabasa.” Keith Shiri, BFI London Film Festival
“Guided by the joyous rhythms of Cape Jazz, this rousing crowd-pleaser centres on a teenaged saxophonist torn between honouring his late father and obeying his protective mother. Roberta Durrant delivers an inspiring coming-of-age tale about finding the courage to fulfill your ambitions and the strength to let the past go… A loving musical tribute and a testament to familial bonds, Felix is a heartwarming, witty and a vibrant portrait of Cape Town. Aptly described as ‘Billy Elliot with Cape jazz,’ director Roberta Durrant and award-winning screenwriter Shirley Johnston’s film spiritedly injects a familiar tale with fresh flavour.” Vancouver International Film Festival
“This is a film that reflects the South African ‘love for life’.” Lucas International Children’s Film Festival
“Ranks with Clint Eastwood’s Charlie Parker film Bird in showing the contrasts in the lifestyles of musicians and their relationship with their audience… You need to see this movie in a theatre. Don’t wait till it comes out on DVD; you will miss the full experience of the colour on the screen and the quality of the acting (especially from Dame Janet Suzman) but more importantly you need to experience the musical soundtrack in the later scenes in full and glorious Dolby.” Denis Lillie, Cape Film Commission CEO
LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
DIRECTOR: Roberta Durrant
WRITER: Shirley Johnston
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Penguin Films for Sabido Productions
DISTRIBUTOR: Crystal Brook Distribution
AWARDS: Audience Award: Best Film at Durban International Film Festival
