A first feature film for Vusi Africa Sindane as a director, “Letters Of Hope”, acknowledges unsung heroes who gave hope for the hopeless.
Set in 1976 apartheid South Africa, “LETTERS OF HOPE” tells the story of 16-year-old Jeremiah who is portrayed by Aphiwe Mkefe, who really wants to be a policeman and can’t understand why his father won’t let him. His father portrayed by Luthuli Dlamini is the local postman and expects Jeremiah to follow in his footsteps. When his father is killed, Jeremiah discovers that his father was operating a secret courier service that delivered letters from freedom fighters in exile and prison.
2019 Durban talents Alumni Vusi Africa has a unique voice in story telling focused on the discovery of a hero with an African face. He debuted this first feature film “Letters of Hope” in competition at the 40th Durban International Film Festival and got awarded for BEST ARTISTIC BRAVERY at DIFF. Based on the historic Letter exchange programme which the ANC facilitated with different countries and intended to keep contact between families in exile and families left in South Africa to intensify the fight against apartheid. Written by Vusi Africa and Naledi Bogacwi , the film is based on research which was done for the ANC in Mpumalanga for its centenary celebrations.
This is such a beautiful and necessary story of our time, inspired by the true story of a man who used to deliver letters from the liberation struggle soldiers in exile to their family members, these letters were the only source of hope for the families. Rapturously receiving acclaims from home and in the international circuit, having made selection by the American Film Institute Silver Theatre & Cultural Institute to screen at the New African Film Festival in Washington DC next month. It also got an official selection for Africa Film Trinidad and Tobago premiere in May. RapidLion Film Festival announced “Letters Of Hope” as its opening film for the 5th Edition for the South African International Film Festival.
This captivating story is told from a black perspective and aims to inspire South Africans to keep the hope alive. In a country without hope, one letter can save us all. The film features Sibulele Gcilitshana, Luthuli Dlamini, Jet Novuka, Aphiwe Mkefe, Lerato Walaza and Sello Ramolahloane.
Coming to cinemas nationwide on the 29th May 2020
See Official Trailer:
