South African film “Carissa" has been picked for the Final Cut section at the 80th Venice Film Festival. “Carissa” is a powerful film that delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the human spirit. The film’s inclusion in the Final Cut, a program supporting post-production for films from Africa and the Middle East, is a significant achievement, highlighting the growing prominence of African cinema on the world stage.
"Carissa" tells the compelling story of its title character, set against the backdrop of the breath-taking Cedarberg mountains. Through the lens of a traditional way of life in the rural mountain-scape, "Carissa" captures the conflict facing the villagers of a rural community as multinational business plans to build a luxury golf estate challenging their humble way of life.
Carissa,” was written by the duo of Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, who also served as producers alongside alongside Deidré Jantjies and Annemarie du Plessis for Cape Town-based Na Aap Prods.
This recognition at Venice not only marks a milestone for "Carissa" but also for South African cinema, showcasing the country’s creative potential and storytelling prowess. As "Carissa" continues to garner international attention, it paves the way for more African voices to be heard in the global film industry, celebrating the richness and diversity of African stories.
