Zulu Love Letter (by Ramadan Suleman) opened at Ster-Kinekor Cinemas on 05 August 2005.
Zulu Love Letter is a compelling epic that tells the story of a woman's struggle in post apartheid South Africa. The story reveals the personal journey of Thandeka (Pamela Nomvete), a mother who desperately wants to reach out to her hearing impaired daughter, Mangi (Mpumi Malatsi). Mangi grew up with her grandparents while Thandeka was pursuing her career as a politically committed journalist. The quest for love between mother and daughter is made difficult by Thandeka's recollection of the past. Thandeka's memories send her into despair because the tormented society she lives in does not give her space to heal. The cast also features Connie Mfuku, Mpumi Malatsi, Kurt Egelhof and Patrick Shai.
The film was funded by the NFVF, the Industrial Development Corporation, Natives at Large, JBA Production, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, Arte / ZDF, YLE and SABC 1.
Zulu Love Letter is a well traveled film and has earned various international awards such as: Grand Prize Festival International du Film d'Amour -Mons Belgium 2005; Best Actress (Pamela Nomvete) - FESPACO (Pan African Film and Television Festival Ouagadougou) 2005, European Union Award - FESPACO, UNICEF Prize for the Promotion of Women's Rights- FESPACO Ouagadougou 2005, 9th INALCO Prize (National Institute of Eastern Languages and Civilisation) - FESPACO 2005 and Special Jury Prize at Durban International Film Festival (South Africa) 2005.
"We are ecstatic to announce the release of yet another film funded by the NFVF. Zulu Love Letter is a film that has been embraced by international filmmaking nations. We hope that all South Africans will equally appreciate this world- renowned film", says Eddie Mbalo, the CEO of the NFVF.
Promotion of Zulu Love Letter
Ster - Kinekor and Black Magic Communications will embark on a campaign entitled "Expressions" in an effort to raise awareness of the film and the various themes and topics explored in the script. The activities of the campaign will consist of the following:
"Expressions"
This a branded e-mail and internet driven poetry campaign which will deliver organic poems which will develop through the unique contributions of all those who wish to express their deepest thoughts, experiences and opinions. These poems will be populated and published on the Zulu Love Letter website. The link on expressions can be found on www.zululoveletter.co.za.
"Wild fire Expressions"
Through the Wildfire Expressions, the public can contribute two lines or two paragraphs through the Expressions link on the Zulu Love Letter website homepage. All contributions will be collated and published as new poems on the site on a daily basis.
"Quite Storm Expressions"
The Quiet Storm Expressions will feature five poems which have been written by a select group of women practice in the following key fields:
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Media
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Gender
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Freedom of expression
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Artists/writers/poets
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Film industry
All Quiet Storm poems will be published on the website.
Posted on Monday 8 Aug 2005
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