Hopeville is the uplifting story of Amos Manyani, a recovering alcoholic who moves to a rundown rural town in the hope of etching out a new life with his alienated son Themba. It is due for release in South African cinemas on 3 September,
“Amos’s story is one of a man trying to put his life together and win his son back. It’s a journey that will touch a lot of people, as we see somebody trying to put things right,” said Themba Ndaba, who plays the lead.
In the face of a corrupt municipality, dark community secrets and apparent apathy, Amos finds meaning in his mission to restore the derelict public swimming pool. This is largely a tender bid to also restore the damaged 
relationship with his son Themba, played by Junior Singo, who is an upcoming swimming star deeply unhappy that he now has to stay with his estranged father after his mother’s untimely death. Amos’s “service” is initially met with skepticism from both Themba and the community, and frustrating resistance from the authorities, but eventually his perseverance inspires the community of Hopeville to finally act on their convictions.
“All of us have a place that we can fix within ourselves, our families or our communities. That little bit that you can do, do it. It doesn’t matter how small. Do something to make a difference,” said Ndaba. “And watch Hopeville to get some hope!” he added.
The cast is made up of many established South African movie and television stars who have added their voices to the call for a values-based South African society. The two-faced mayor of Hopeville is played by Desmond Dube, with Terry Pheto (of Tsotsi fame) as his illegal immigrant mistress. The Lab’s Fana Mokoena is a corrupt cop, and the town’s misunderstood “racist” is played by Paul Luckhoff, who featured in Stander and Triomf. Jody Abrahams, Leleti Khumalo, Mary Twala, Isadora Verwey, Wilmien Rossouw, Glen Gabela and Jonathan Pienaar also feature.
Hopeville was filmed in the picturesque town of Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga after Art Director Karel Flint visited more than 70 small towns throughout South Africa in search of the perfect location. It is a story of restoration, reconciliation and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Hopeville is the feature film inspired by the from the popular TV Series Hopeville that was screened on SABC 2 in 2009. This series has been nominated in the category of Drama and Mini – Series for the prestigious Rose d’Or global television festival Awards, one of the most important annual events in the international television industry. The winners will be announced during the 50th Rose d’Or festival, which will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland in September 2010.
Distributed by Humble Pie Entertainment, commissioned by Heartlines and SABC Education and produced by award-winning production house Curious Pictures, Hopeville aims to encourage values in action. The theatrical release also coincides with the launch of the Heartlines Movement for Good.
For more information about Hopeville or the Movement for Good campaign, please contact Humble Pie Entertainment at:
Tel: 079 183 7164 / 021 802 6809
E-mail: pr@humblepiegroup.com
www.themoviehopeville.com
Note to Editors
HOPEVILLE CREATIVE TEAM
Director and Head Writer: John Trengov
Director of Photography: Willie Nel
Production Designer: Karel Flint
Casting Director: Moonyeenn Lee
Editors: Jan Botha And Karyn Bosch
Music by: Murray Anderson
Written by: Darrel Bristow-Bovey; Jacqui L’ange; Libby Dougherty; Mpho Osei-Tutu; Neil Mccarthy; Nick Borraine; Salah Sabiti
Story created by: Michele Rowe and Roger Smith
HOPEVILLE MAIN CAST
- Jody Abrahams (Hard Copy) is PJ DANIELS – the hardened businessman who’s happy to get involved in any shady deal for a quick buck.
- Desmond Dube (Dube on Mondays, Hotel Rwanda), is PATRICK GUMEDE the Mayor of Hopeville, a corrupt official who is planning to rezone the land where the swimming pool is into a liquor outlet.
- Leleti Khumalo (Sarafina!, Yesterday and Generations) plays FLO RAPHOTO, Themba’s aunt who protects Themba and his mother, Gloria, from Amos’ drinking, and who continually tries to get custody of Themba to ensure that he has all the opportunities he could have, even if this means losing his father.
- Paul Luckhoff (Stander) plays FELIX VENTER, who is perceived as the town racist. He lives in the past and has lost touch with his humanity and the thing that is most important: his son. Felix will learn to abandon the fear and anger that has governed his life, and discover that he still has a contribution to make, for good.
- Fana Mokoena (Generations, Yizo Yizo, The Lab) is KHOABANE the corrupt town cop who kowtows to Mayor Patrick, but who learns to take responsibility for his actions as the drama unfolds. Through Khobane’s son, Andile, we realise that Andile’s bravado is merely a front as behind closed doors everything is not well at home, where domestic violence is always threatening to boil over.
- Themba Ndaba (Generations, Streaks Ahead and Teleschool presenter) plays the main character, AMOS MANYONI, a recovering alcoholic who gets custody of his son, Themba following the death of Gloria, Themba’s mother. When Amos takes Themba to Hopeville to take up his new job as parks and recreation manager he is faced with numerous challenges that he overcomes with courage and a belief in what is good.
- Terry Pheto (Tsotsi, The Stick Fighter) is FIKILE, an illegal immigrant hiding her true identity. She’s Patrick’s mistress, but has deepening feelings for Amos. Her character develops as the drama unfolds as she too stands by her values and courageously does what is right.
- Junior Singo (Beat the Drum, The Wooden Camera and In My Country) plays THEMBA MANYONI, Amos’ son – whose refusal to reconcile with his father and grief for his mother leads him out of the house and into some unwholesome experiences with a local gang. But through Amos’ perseveres and the courage of his convictions, Themba’s hostility is replaced by a new found respect for his dad. By giving Amos a second chance, Themba wins a father.
- Mary Twala (Muvhango, Ubizo, Sarafina! and Taxi to Soweto) plays MA DOLLY, Amos’ sobriety counsellor, who is the only person in Hopeville looking after the numerous abandoned children in the township of Halala.
- Johanathan Pienaar (The Lab, The Miners) plays an ex-hippie bar owner Fred in the film that partakes in the Mayor’s plan to open a liquor store.
- Wilmien Rossouw (The Prisoner, Iemand of lief te hê) plays the role of Denise Palmer, a schoolteacher in Hopeville and wife of Fred
About Humble Pie Entertainment
Humble Pie Entertainment is a creative media, marketing, distribution and project management agency specializing in the film and music industry based in Cape Town South Africa. For more information please visit www.humblepiegroup.com.
Innovation Financial Services is the financial security partner of Humble Pie Entertainment and ensures effective financial management of all projects managed by Humble Pie Entertainment.
For additional information about Hopeville, Premieres, Screenings and Promotion contact Humble Pie Entertainment:
Tel: 079 183 7164 / 021 802 6809
Media- Email: pr@humblepiegroup.com
Premieres- Email: events@humblepiegroup.com
Theatre Listings & Community Screenings- Email: screenings@humblepiegroup.com
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