PRESS RELEASES
“Tsotsi" and "Sophi Scholl" Deemed Moving Films by Heartland Film Festival
February 10, 2006
Academy Award® nominees “Tsotsi” by Miramax Films and “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days” by Zeitgeist Films have joined an elite list of films to receive Truly Moving Picture Awards from the Heartland Film Festival®. A Truly Moving Picture Award recognizes films that exemplify excellence in filmmaking and the Heartland purpose. Both “Tsotsi” and “Sophie Scholl” open in select cities on February 24.
Based on the book by acclaimed author and playwright, Athol Fugard, “Tsotsi” traces six days in the life of a young gang leader who steals a woman’s car—unaware, in his panic, that her baby is in the back seat. A gritty and moving portrait of ghetto life in Johannesburg, South Africa, the film is ultimately a story of hope and triumph of love over rage.
"’Tsotsi’ is the kind of tough, edgy Truly Moving Picture that will really stretch the Heartland audience," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, president of Heartland Film Festival. "We are proud to honor this film and its inspiring message of conscience through adversity."
Heartland’s other new Truly Moving Picture recipient, “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days” captures the true story of Germany’s most famous anti-Nazi heroine and the last six days of Sophie’s life: a heart-stopping journey from arrest to interrogation, trial and sentence.
"Heartland is also excited to honor 'Sophie Scholl – The Final Days' with a Truly Moving Picture Award," added Sparks. "We hope audiences across the nation will be as moved as we were by the power of this true story."
“Tsotsi” and “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days” are the newest recipients of Heartland’s Truly Moving Picture Award. The 2006 recipients (to date) include: “Glory Road” and “Nanny McPhee.” Forty-one (41) films have been honored since the Award’s inception in 2000.
Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award as a way to honor theatrically-released films that demonstrate the Heartland purpose with excellence, inspiring and enriching lives. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. Since the industry decides a film’s success based on the opening weekend box office, Heartland encourages audiences to attend a Truly Moving Picture on its first weekend.
Heartland Film Festival will celebrate 15 years of honoring Truly Moving Pictures during the annual Festival, October 19-27, 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit www.HeartlandFilmFestival.org to learn more about Heartland’s year-long anniversary celebration.
Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving PicturesSM from around the world, ranging from dramas to documentaries to animation. Heartland awards more than $100,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top entries, including a $50,000 grand prize for best dramatic feature. The Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners for the best student films and the Crystal Heart Award winners share the remaining money. The Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are given in honor of Max Simon by his parents, Melvin and Bren Simon, through the Max Simon Charitable Foundation. In 14 years, Heartland has awarded more than $1.4 million to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
Based on the book by acclaimed author and playwright, Athol Fugard, this deeply affecting film traces six days in the life of a young gang leader who steals a woman’s car—unaware, in his panic, that her baby is in the back seat.
Orphaned at an early age and forced to survive by his wits alone, having to care for the infant taps into reservoirs of humanity that surprise even Tsotsi. Pumping with the high energy of Zola’s ‘Kwaito’ music, and told from an African perspective, “Tsotsi” is an extraordinary contemporary portrait of ghetto life in the sprawling Johannesburg townships. Deviating from Fugard’s material which was set during Apartheid to the present, Hood has crafted a singular story of hope and redemption, the triumph of love over rage.
Produced by Peter Fudakowski and executive produced by Robbie Little, “Tsotsi” was written and directed by Gavin Hood. The film marks the feature debut by Presley Chweneyagae (Tsotsi) and Terry Pheto (Miriam) with an appearance by well-known South African musician Zola (Fela). “Tsotsi” has a running time of 94 minutes and is rated R.
“SOPHIE SCHOLL– THE FINAL DAYS” SYNOPSIS
The true story of Germany’s most famous anti-Nazi heroine is brought to thrilling life in the multi-award winning drama “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days.”
In 1943, as Hitler continues to wage war across Europe, a group of college students mount an underground resistance movement in Munich. Dedicated expressly to the downfall of the monolithic Third Reich war machine, they call themselves the White Rose. One of its few female members, Sophie Scholl is captured during a dangerous mission to distribute pamphlets on campus with her brother Hans. Unwavering in her convictions and loyalty to the White Rose, her cross-examination by the Gestapo quickly escalates into a searing test of wills as Scholl delivers a passionate call to freedom and personal responsibility that is both haunting and timeless.
Academy Award® Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, “Sophie Scholl” stars Julia Jentsch. Armed with long-buried historical records of her incarceration, director Marc Rothemund expertly re-creates the last six days of Sophie Scholl’s life: a heart-stopping journey from arrest to interrogation, trial and sentence.
“Sophie Scholl – The Final Days” received three Lolas (German Oscars) including the Audience Award and Best Actress Award to Jentsch for her brilliant characterization of the title role. Jentsch also won Best Actress at the European Film Awards and the film also won two Silver Bears for Best Director and Best Actress at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival.
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