Hansie filming completed
2007-11-20 13:57
Johannesburg - The filming of the movie based on the life of the late SA cricket captain Hansie Cronjé has been completed, its producer said on Tuesday.
"The movie is looking beautiful and we are very happy with the quality of the scenes we have shot," producer Frans Cronjé said in a statement.
With the filming leg of the movie completed, post-production, which includes editing and the final sound mixes, would begin, he said.
The movie was shot in different cities and towns on three continents -Africa (SA) the UK and India.
Giving an overview of the film Hansie thus far, Cronjé said: "Aspects of the film have gone exceptionally well. We are very proud that Hansie has been a landmark movie in South Africa for its innovative use of technology".
A camera called The Phantom and a technologically advanced computer programme called Massive were used during the making of the movie.
The Phantom is a highly specialised digital camera used to produce extremely detailed slow motion shots. There are only 10 in the world and it's the first time that this particular camera has been used on a film set in Africa, said Cronjé
Massive was first used and designed for Lord of the Rings and has not been used in a South African feature film before.
'Public's affection'
"With the computer programme Massive a crowd of 500 extras can be expanded into a stadium of 33 000 cheering people".
Marketing manager Peter Morgan said: "We were very warmly received in India. Hansie is still very much a loved public figure there.
"The publicity alone while the cast and crew were shooting in India shows the extent of the public's affection."
Making the movie, however, was never all plain sailing, said Morgan.
There had been challenges.
"One of those was getting the camera into India. It took a long time to clear the camera through customs. In fact the crew had to rent a camera for the first day of shooting there."
Line producer Kirstin Barwise said: "We would never have cleared the camera through customs without our Indian production company's assistance. Both the UK and the Indian production companies have been great to work with."
Cronjé said Global Creative Studios (GCS) was pleased about the new relationship forged with Nu Metro Film Distribution.
Nu Metro
GCS has handed over the sales and distribution of the movie Hansie, in cinemas and on DVD throughout Africa, to Nu Metro Film Distribution.
"It was a difficult decision to make, but we decided it was in the company's best interests going forward to close our distribution departments down," said Cronjé.
Nu Metro general manager, Debbie McCrum, commenting on the distribution agreement said: "Nu Metro has been looking to partner with a local filmmaker for sometime and not only to invest financially but to build a lasting partnership. Frans Cronjé is an enigmatic energy that captured Nu Metro's interest in his films.
"We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Global Creative Studios".
The Hansie Cronjé movie would release in September next year.
More information, photographs and an onset diary of the movie are available on the official film website: www.hansiemovie.com.
- SAPA