Category Archives: Celebrities

“BARAKAT” is South Africa’s Official Selection for the 94th Annual Academy Awards

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The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the first South African Muslim film shot in Afrikaans, (actually AfriKaaps) Barakat, has been selected as South Africa’s official submission for the 94th Annual Academy Awards.

Directed by Amy Jephta and produced by Ephraim Gordon, co-founders of production companies PaperJet Films and Nagvlug Films, Barakat was released in cinemas in early 2021. The screenplay is by writing-producing team Amy Jephta and Ephraim Gordon who made their debut at South Africa’s 2017 kykNET Silwerskerm Festival with their short film Soldaat (Soldier), for which they won Best Screenplay and Best Short. 

Barakat Official Trailer

Jephta, a celebrated theatre practitioner, director and writer, also scripted South Africa’s official 2018 Golden Globes submission for Foreign Film, Ellen: The Story of Ellen Pakkies. In 2019, she was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year Award for theatre. Actor and director Gordon starred in Nosipho Dumisa’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut, Number 37, which premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW).

“I am so proud that this film has reached as many people as it has, and to be recognised by South Africa in this way is incredibly special,” said director Amy Jephta.  “Even after an extremely challenging year for our film industry, we’re honoured that a small story about a family has connected us.”

Producer Ephraim Gordon added: “This was totally unexpected, but it shows that everyone’s hard work on this project has paid off. This film was a blessing from the beginning and continues to be.  It is our barakat.”

‘Barakat’ is an Arabic word denoting blessings, abundance and prosperity. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Aisha Davids (played by veteran acress Vinette Ebrahim), a widow who has to preserve the peace between four sons struggling to come to terms with the death of their father two years after the fact. Her sons, Zunaid (Joey Rasdien), Zaid (Mortimer Williams), Yaseen (Keeno Lee Hector) and Nur (Danny Ross) return to their family home to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr (or Labarang, as it’s called in Cape Town), the celebration marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. They’ve never dealt with their father’s death or the void his passing has left. Each son’s unprocessed pain manifests in constant familial conflict, saddening their mother as she tries to move on with her own life.

The 94th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, the 27th March 2022.

Barakat was developed in partnership with MNET and funded in association with the NFVF, the DTIC, IDC as well as Indigenous Film Distribution, the South African distributor of the film.

Maybelline New York wants to see your face on billboards

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Maybelline New York, the world’s #1 colour cosmetics brand*, is at it again!

In 2019, Maybelline broke the Guinness World Record for the most foundation shades matched in 8 hours, right here in Mzansi, and in 2020 they hosted the biggest exclusive virtual makeup master class in South Africa. **

This year they are at it again with their Maybelline Fit Us As We Are South Africa campaign which launched in August 2021.

“Maybelline continuously pushes the boundaries with its innovative products, packaging, formulas and advertising. We are now extending this innovative spirit to our consumers where they have the opportunity to be part of something big” says Marketa Havlik-Liebenberg, General Manager L’Oréal Consumer Products Division.

“At Maybelline, we value engagement with our consumers and this campaign has gifted us the opportunity to make our consumers part of the Maybelline New York family by seeing their face on nationwide building wraps and billboards”.

To be part of the Fit Us As We Are South Africa campaign and competition, consumers must send their clear selfie holding a Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation to the Maybelline WhatsApp Line(+27318348838).

The picture must be of the consumer themselves and of no one else, and they will stand a chance to be 1 of 500 faces featured on 10 digital billboards and a massive building wrap sight in South Africa!

There are also 500 prizes worth R500 each up for grabs to everyone who enters the competition.

Terms and Conditions apply.

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HERSH announced as Apple Music Up Next artist in South Africa

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Capetonian singer-songwriter and producer HERSH (real name Herschel Snyders) is the latest Apple Music Up Next South Africa artist. The South Africa program, which launched earlier this year is a local version of Apple Music’s global emerging artist platform geared towards identifying and showcasing rising talent.

With a versatile sound that fuses elements of Hip-Hop and R&B, the 24-year-old singer had this to say about being selected for the program:

“I am proud and honoured to be selected as the Apple Music’s Up Next South African artist,” he tells Apple Music. “It makes me happy knowing that I am doing what I love and that my music has a relatable experience or has made someone feel good. I’m all about chasing my dream and in my music I encourage people to do the same and these things help make your dream come true!’

After a High School talent show uncovered HERSH’s immense talent at the age of 15, he decided to pursue a career in professional football instead. However when his dreams as a footballer weren’t realised, HERSH turned to music – first as his therapy, and then as his ambition and passion.

HERSH made his mark on SA’s music scene in mid-2020 after taking part in the Red Bull Made in 72 Hours project, which saw him collaborate with Gina Jeanz and Juzzy CPT, in isolation, to create the standout R&B track “Tonight”.

With an acute attention to detail present in every aspect of his craft, HERSH’s signature style is a blend of old and new school Hip-Hop beats. He quickly caught the attention of Sony Music Entertainment Africa who immediately signed him. 

HERSH’s debut EP “Peace Of Mind”, draws musical inspiration from future soul singer Masego, and rappers Ty Dolla Sign and Drake, however the majority of his influence is born from his lived experiences. The EP’s lead single, “Enough”, is a standout with synthesized harmonies and subtle electronics that form a solid foundation for his R&B-rooted vocals.

As the latest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, HERSH will be featured across Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist https://apple.co/3eITdJd. The curated playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music’s editors from around the world. The playlist is genre agnostic and represents a line-up of artists Apple Music’s global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience. 

The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks,Tate McRae and Foushée.

About Apple Music

Apple loves music. With iPod and iTunes, Apple revolutionized the music experience by putting a thousand songs in your pocket. Today, Apple Music takes this to the ultimate with over 70 million songs, thousands of playlists, and daily selections from the world’s  best music experts, including all of the artists and hosts broadcasting daily across its Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country global live streams. Since 2015, Apple Music has welcomed tens of millions of subscribers in 167 countries. Streaming seamlessly to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Apple Watch, iPod touch, CarPlay, popular smart TVs, smart speakers, Android and Windows devices, and online at music.apple.com, Apple Music is the most complete music experience on the planet. Apple Music offers a free 3-month trial with no commitment and is ad-free.

LootLove joins as new host of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1

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South African TV presenter and radio personality Luthando Shosha — aka LootLove — is taking over as the new host of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1, beginning Sunday, 13 June 2021.

Africa Now Radio, Apple Music radio’s first global African music radio show, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Over the past year, the show has featured exclusive interviews with Davido, Nasty C, Tiwa Savage, Rayvanny and many of the biggest and brightest artists spanning the African continent, debuted over 250 new releases, and introduced Apple Music subscribers around the world to over 50 of Africa’s hottest new artists, from Omah Lay to Tems. Based on the Africa Now playlist, Africa Now Radio with LootLove will continue to showcase the latest African sounds, be it amapiano, afrobeats, highlife, alte, house, hip-hop, bongo flava, or kuduro.

“I am beyond elated to host Africa Now Radio,” said LootLove. “This is a big moment for the universal language that is music. A moment that continues to shine a light on our continent, my home country  — South Africa — and on all the magical talent we have. I am looking forward to seeing more, experiencing more and learning more through the beauty of Africa’s music. From the Cape to Cairo and to the rest of the world.”

On her debut episode, LootLove will be joined by the legendary Angélique Kidjo, who will talk about her upcoming album “Mother Nature,” out on June 18, 2021. LootLove will also spotlight The Big 5 – the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment – and the next generation of African superstars featured in Apple Music’s artist program and companion playlist Africa Rising. In the new Loot Loves feature, LootLove will select and play one track she loves from her favorite Apple Music African playlists.

Africa Now Radio with LootLove airs weekly on Sundays, beginning 13 June 2021, at 2pm Lagos / London / 3pm Johannesburg / Paris / 6am LA / 9am NYC on Apple Music 1. Listen via apple.co/_AfricaNow

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Disney’s new movie “Jungle Cruise”

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I’ve been looking forward to “Jungle Cruise” for ages, as I am a huge Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt fan.

Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her down-river on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. 

Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities – possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate – and mankind’s – hangs in the balance.

Jaume Collet-Serra directs the film, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez and Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. The producers are John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment; Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions; and Beau Flynn of Flynn Picture Co., with Scott Sheldon and Doug Merrifield serving as executive producers. The story is by John Norville & Josh Goldstein and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, and the screenplay is by Michael Green and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa.

Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” releases in cinemas in South Africa on 30 July 2021.         

Social Media

Website and Mobile site: https://disney.co.za/movies/jungle-cruise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyinAfrica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneystudiosafrica