In a first for South Africa, the locally produced and filmed movie For Love and Broken Bones has won the Portland Film Festival’s main award, Best Film.
Out of the 220 films screened during the seven-day event which took place in the US recently, For Love and Broken Bones won the ‘Jury Narrative Feature’ section having been chosen by a pool of jury members.
The film has since been selected for the 6th Annual New York City Independent Film Festival which is set to take place from 12-18 October.
Made by The Bomb Shelter, the production company behind cutting edge and acclaimed television series such as Yizo Yizo, Jacob’s Cross, Isibaya and The Road, and directed by Tebogo Malope, with a screenplay by Malope and Libby Dougherty (Isibaya).
For Love and Broken Bones tell of a lonely and ruthless debt collector who falls in love with a feisty and passionate wedding planner, who also happens to be his latest assignment.
The film stars Lerato Mvelase (Home Affairs, Thola) and Mduduzi Mabaso (Rhythm City, Hotel Rwanda, Blood Diamond) amongst others. The film was commissioned by Mzansi Magic as part of a slate of four made for TV movies.
“We are so delighted that For Love and Broken Bones has been recognised with such a prestigious award, and all credit to Tebogo who really poured his heart and soul into this project to deliver a stunning debut. He was supported by cinematographer Zeno Petersen and art director Dylan Lloyd, a very passionate filmmaking trio ,” says producer Desiree Markgraaff.
Chris Lambert from online site Film Colossus.com says, “For Love and Broken Bones is an immersive and hypnotic experience. This is why it has the potential to be a seminal film in what could be a golden age of South African filmmaking.”
