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

www.themoviehopeville.com  

www.humblepiegroup.com

END

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The Who Is Jesus tract DVD is a comprehensive, multi-media, evangelical and marketplace ministry tool that introduces you to the life, teachings and legacy of Jesus Christ & the Christian faith.

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Purchase Who Is Jesus tract DVD’s and hand them out for free to clients, colleagues, friends, family and the man on the street. Businesses can also use the Who Is Jesus tract DVD as a market place ministry tool! 

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Pricing Table

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E-mail: info@whoisjesusdvd.com

For more information visit www.whoisjesusdvd.com

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Film Investments are speculative in nature, involve a relatively high degree of risk, and are appropriate for investors who can afford to lose some of their investment capital, so why do people invest in Christian films? The answer depends on the individual. Some are attracted by the idea of being film business “insiders”. Others are drawn to the idea of supporting projects that spread the gospel through film. Ultimately, most people that become film investors choose a particular film investment opportunity that they have identified as a feature film project that can potentially generate audience acceptability in the marketplace – offering potential significant profits.Innovation, a company specializing in Christian film investment has been actively at work making releases like “Faith Happens”, “The Calling” and “God Of Wonders” possible. Innovation is an independent project financier offering campaign funding and investment opportunities to a variety of net-worth individuals who wish to work together on projects to positively influence people. Innovation is the financial security partner of Humble Pie Entertainment and ensures effective financial management of all projects managed by Humble Pie Entertainment, offering investment in projects from only R20 000 upwards and a positive return on investment period of 6 months.

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E: innovation@humblepiegroup.com

Download the Innovation Presenter: Innovation_Presenter