New York award for Themba's story

SOUTH Africa's internationally acclaimed emotive feature film on HIV-Aids, Themba, A Boy Called Hope, has bagged yet another prestigious award.

The multi-award-winning film, which has caused a stir locally and abroad, received the Cinema Peace Award in New York City on Sunday night for raising awareness of this country's fight against Aids.

The awards are supported by Sir Bob Geldof, who has called them the "Oscars with brains".

The South African-German co-production, was produced by Brigid Olen and Marlow de Mardt of DO Production in South Africa.

The cast of seasoned actors includes lead Junior Singo, Rapulana Seiphemo, Patrick Mofokeng and singer Simphiwe Dana.

It was written and directed by Stefanie Sycholt and based on a book titled Crossing the Line by Dr Lutz Van Dijk, who lives in the Masiphumelele informal settlement outside Cape Town.

The book is based on his experiences working at the Hokisa Home for children affected by Aids.

The film, which goes on to DVD on October8, has won six accolades.

Nobel Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu has said of the film: "It's a very good film. I hope it gets an Oscar or two."

Cinema for Peace founder Jaka Bizilj said: "It's a wonderful and entertaining film that strikes a cord with the audience through its themes of family, poverty and soccer.

"The film tells a story that entertains and educates at the same time. Its an emotional plea for an open way of dealing with Aids."

Ayla Hill, of Do Productions, said: "The film skilfully develops role models who overcome the stigma of having HIV - who reveal that it isn't a shameful disease and that with treatment one can live a productive life.

"The film also demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit that survives in the face of adversity, through courage and determination."