Bookings have opened for the legacy film, Poppie Nongena, which releases in cinemas nationwide on 31 January 2020. The film wowed audiences at its official premiere event in Johannesburg last week. Guests applauded and were moved to tears by the performances and emotion conveyed on screen.
“Visually beautiful, powerful, delicate storytelling and amazing acting
by Clementine Mosimane” – Vuyiswa Mutshekwane
“A film of staggering beauty!” - Trevor Crighton
“This movie defines next level’ storytelling in our film industry” – Mapepeza Media
“Best South African movie I’ve ever seen” – Oliver Dickson
This feature film is based on the true story, told in the book The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena, which is regarded as one of the best African novels of the twentieth century.
Clementime Mosimane (Soul City, The Wild) plays the role of Poppie, alongside Anna-Mart van der Merwe (Die Storie van Klara Viljee, Kanarie), veterans Chris Gxalaba (Long walk to freedom, The Crown, ER, Mandela and De Klerk), Rolanda Marais (Trackers, Wolwe Dans in die Skemer, Binnelanders, Out on a Limb), David Minaar (Torings, Fiela se Kind, Nag van die 19de, 7de Laan, Amalia) and Lida Botha (Invictus, Susters, Windprint, Pad na jou Hart, Die Boekklub, Hollywood in my Huis, Susters). Nomsa Nene, who played the title role to rave reviews in the international theatre production of Poppie, plays Poppie’s mother.
Poppie Nongena tells the story of a South African isiXhosa mother, whose life revolves around finding stability for her family when she is deemed by the law to be an illegal resident in her own country. It captures her struggle with the authorities for permission to stay, moving from house to house, applying for permits, applying for extensions, extensions of extensions, and using every means at her disposal to remain with her children.
Caught in the crossfire of her children’s needs, her husband’s illness, community anger and repressive laws, she is finally forced to surrender just as the 1976 riots for freedom erupt.
