Animé Film Festival Coming To South African Cinemas

The popularity of Animé content, known as animation in Japan, has exploded in recent years, with an entire subculture passionate about the film and television series in this colourful and captivating genre. Following on the success of The Boy and The Heron’s release earlier this year in cinemas, Gravel Road Distribution Group is now bringing South African audiences a cinema-first…. a dedicated Animé film festival celebrating the iconic Studio Ghibli, on the big screen, starting this August.

The Japanese Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed animation studios in the world, and the home of some of the most beloved Anime works to have ever released. Founded in 1985 by film directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki, the globally renowned studio has produced twenty-two feature-length films, and won numerous accolades, including two Academy® Awards, a Golden Globe and the coveted Cannes Film Festival honorary Palme d’Or. (The first time in history a company has been bestowed this prestigious acknowledgement).

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“Storm Crashers” releases in cinemas on 26 July

Every so often, an animated film comes along that captures the imagination of children and grownups alike, transporting cinema goers to a new world of wonder, and reminding us of the power of dreaming big. This July, that is exactly what audiences can look forward to as the animated adventure film “Storm Crashers” will release in cinemas nationwide on Friday 26 July 2024, promising a giant adventure filled with zany characters including the charming dog Tesla, the adorable bunnies Stix, Strappers and Bonjo, the crazy chickens with attitude, and a larger-than-life dragon.

View the trailer below:

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New Movie: “Girl You Know It’s True” – The Milli Vanilli Story

The highly anticipated biographical film drama, “Girl, You Know It’s True”, promises to captivate audiences with its re-telling of the meteoric rise and fall of Milli Vanilli, one of the world’s biggest pop superstars of the late ’80s and early ’90s.

This powerful narrative featuring pivotal scenes filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, brings to light the infamous scandal that rocked the music industry, portraying the complexities of fame and deception through the compelling performances of Tijan Njie (Rob Pilatus) and Elan Ben Ali (Fab Morvan). The scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Cape Town provide a stunning backdrop, adding a unique visual element to the film.

The film hits the big screen in South Africa on Friday, 21 June 2024.

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How to watch Live From E!: The Oscars, airing tonight on E!

Laverne Cox

The most groundbreaking achievements in filmmaking and acting were celebrated this weekend at the 2024 Academy Awards. E!’s Live From E!: The Oscars, hosted by Laverne Cox, presented the most glamorous red carpet show of the 2024 award season.

If you missed the live broadcast, The 2024 Live From E!: The Oscars will air tonight on Monday 11 March at 17:00 and 23:00 (CAT) on E! (DStv 124).

Laverne Cox was joined by panelists Zanna Roberts Rassi, Zuri Hall, comedian Heather McMahan and designer Christian Siriano to offer commentary as the stars arrived, while movie expert Keltie Knight and E!’s Tiffany Smith gave fans a one-of-a-kind look at the red carpet from the rooftop at Ripley’s on Hollywood Boulevard.

This past year’s blockbuster films and their featured stars will be front and center during Live From E!: Oscars red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with special moments for fans everywhere.

The most nominated movie of the night was Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which was up for 13 awards, including nods for its stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr, and won 7 awards, including Best Picture. Meanwhile, Barbie, the highest-grossing film of 2023, earned eight nominations, with Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera each being recognized for their stellar performances, and won 1 award (Best Song).

Acting icons that attended the awards included Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Yeoh, Dwayne Johnson, Zendaya and Nicolas Cage.

E! is available on DStv Channel 124.

“Cabrini” Film To Release In Cinemas Nationwide On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024

The independent film, Cabrini, based on the true story of one woman’s fight for the equality, health, and happiness of immigrant orphans, will release in South African cinemas nationwide, simultaneous with the rest of the world, this International Women’s Day, on 8 March 2024. The film is by the award-winning director of the box-office hit Sound of Freedom, Alejandro Monteverde, and stars Cristiana Dell’Anna in the title role.

The film showcases the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrived in New York City in 1889 and was greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini set off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini used her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen

View the trailer below and here.

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