Jozi Film Festival announces opening film

The Jozi Film Festival is proud to announce the opening night film for the 2015 festival is LOVE THE ONE YOU LOVE, directed by Jenna Cato Bass. This will be the Johannesburg premiere of the film which first screened at DIFF last year, and went on to win Best South African Feature Film, Best Direction in a South African Feature Film, and Best Actress (Chi Mhende). LOVE THE ONE YOU LOVE marks the directorial debut of Bass.

“Despite the film having already screened at DIFF, we at JFF believe that this is an important South African film and one that Jozi audiences haven’t yet had the chance to see, hence its selection. The film is unique in its style and narrative, and lead actress Chi Mhende is compelling to watch as Terri – a sexline operator in a relationship with Sandile (Andile Nebulane). The two seem to have it all but we watch as things disintegrate between them,” says Lisa Henry, organiser of the Jozi Film Festival.

Choosing to work without a script, Bass cast a diverse ensemble of professionals and non-actors, improvising all the scenes within the high-concept narrative, resulting in exceptional performances and rapid-fire dialogue. The film was shot on location in Cape Town.

Born out of a desire to pioneer a new kind of South African independent film, LOVE THE ONE YOU LOVE proves that nano-budgets and big ideas can co-exist in a country still looking for its cinematic voice. “It’s this kind of film we at JFF are thrilled to support” Henry adds.

We are also happy to announce that the festival has been extended by a day due to the high volume of worthy submissions we received, and will now run from 19-22 February at The Bioscope Independent Cinema and Ster Kinekor’s Rosebank Nouveau.

More information can be found on www.jozifilmfestival.co.za