South Africa’s film entry for the Oscars next year has premièred at the prestigious Cape Town International Film Market and Festival.
The isiXhosa movie “Sew the Winter to My Skin” has already proved to be very popular among audiences abroad. It is set against the life of the historical figure, John Kepe the bandit, who stole livestock and farming equipment from farmers in the Eastern Cape in the 1900s.
South Africa’s Oscar entry is based on real life events.
John Kepe was born around 1898. He’s documented as a habitual criminal, who referred to himself as the “Samson of the Boschberg”.
He lived in a cave on a mountain in Somerset East. Kepe became a legend for stealing livestock and farming equipment from local farmers, which he then distributed among the poor.
He evaded arrest for a decade after which he was captured, convicted of murder, among others, and hung in Pretoria in June 1952.
Today, Kepe’s independent spirit is said to be still felt on the slopes of the Boschberg and stories about him are told with a smile.
The Cape Town Film Market & Festival brings together hundreds of film professionals from all over the world. It officially opened on Wednesday and is running at the V&A Waterfront.
Watch below for the video report:
