Old Righteous Blues

Last updated
Old Righteous Blues
Directed byMuneera Sallies
Screenplay byCarol Shore
Produced by
  • Pieter Grobbelaar
  • Dumi Gumbi
  • Lizette Khan
  • Helen Kuun
  • Waldimar Pelser
  • Nomsa Philiso
  • Nicola van Niekerk
  • Catharina Weinek
Starring
  • Ayden Croy
  • Joshwin Dyson
CinematographyWilliam Collinson
Edited byBruce McLaren-Lyall
Music byEdward George King
Production
company
The Ergo Company
Release date
  • 2024 (2024)
LanguageAfrikaans

Old Righteous Blues is a 2024 film directed by Muneera Sallies, from an original idea by screenwriter Carol Shore. The film was South Africa's submission for the 97th Academy Awards [1] for Best International Feature Film.

Contents

Plot

In Robertson in the Western Cape, two brothers, Hantjie and Elvin Jansen, still suffer from the aftereffects of a generation-old rupture in their community caused by the splitting of the Old Righteous Blues Christmas choir into two, rival, choirs, respectively led by their estranged father and uncle. Hantjie's ambitions to be Drum Major in his uncle's band threaten his relationship with his brother Elvin, a quietly talented trumpeter whose loyalties lie with his late father's legacy band, the New Righteous Blues.

Cast

Production

Screenwriter Carol Shore began working on the concept for Old Righteous Blues in 1997. [2] Shore and director Muneera Sallies based the film's production in Robertson, South Africa, working closely with the community's Christmas choirs. [3]

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References

  1. Goodfellow, Melanie. "Oscars: South Africa Selects 'Old Righteous Blues' For Best International Feature Film Race". Deadline. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. Thangevelo, Debashine. "It took 25 years to come to fruition but 'Old Righteous Blues' was worth the wait for screenwriter Carol Shore". IOL. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  3. "Old Righteous Blues is a truly South African film rooted in the world of the Cape Christmas Choir brigades". SilverskermFees.