The award-winning feature film Tess produced by Paul Egan and Kim Williams and directed by Meg Rickards will go on limited release at Cinema Nouveau V&A Waterfront, Cape Town on 16 September for one week in order to qualify for Oscar consideration in the Best Foreign Film category.
Tess is based on the novel Whiplash by Tracey Farren who was also responsible for the screenplay. The film introduces audiences to Tess, a twenty-year-old who sells her body on Cape Town’s streets. She survives by popping painkillers by the bunch and through her wry humour. But her life turns upside down when she falls pregnant. Though Tess tries to run, her past torments her. She begins to question her own sanity. Tess fights back, fighting her demons, searching for the truth.
The film stars Christia Visser, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Brendon Daniels with Lee-Ann van Rooi, Dann Jacques Mouton and Quanita Adams.
Since its much anticipated premiere at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in June of this year, where it picked up awards for Best Editing (Linda Man), Best Actress (Christia Visser) and Best South African Feature, Tess film has continued to make waves. During its most recent outing at the KykNET Silweskermfees, the film garnered awards for Best Actress (Christia Visser), Best Cinematography (Bert Haitsma) and Best Editing (Linda Man).
“Making this film has been a labour of love for me”, says Meg Rickards. “Everyone involved in the film has given absolutely everything and has been extremely brave in bringing this story to the big screen. It is really gratifying that their contributions have been recognised at both DIFF and at kykNET Silwerskermfees”.
Tess is distributed in South Africa by Times Media Films and will go on general release in February 2017.