DARYN’S GYM, the mockumentary comedy by writer-director Brett Michael Innes, has been selected to be part of the 51st Edition of IFFR (International Film Festival Rotterdam), where it will have its international premiere as part of the Big Screen Competition section of the program.
The Big Screen Competition is the result of a long-lived collaboration between IFFR and VPRO, bridging the gap between popular, classic, and art-house cinema by showcasing sixteen feature films from across the globe to an audience jury.
“I was completely blown away,” says Innes when asked about the selection. “It is notoriously difficult for comedies to find a place at festivals, as the genre is often passed over for more ‘prestigious’ content. In addition to this, South African films that have festival traction almost exclusively focus on our pain and trauma, so to have one that celebrates our shared humanity through the lens of comedy is a huge honour.”
In pre-pandemic times, filmmakers would have traveled to Rotterdam to present the film to audiences of the festival but the recent lockdown in the Netherlands has forced the festival to pivot from a physical event to a virtual one. The festival will run from 26 January to 6 February 2022 and will feature a number of masterclasses and industry programs.
“We’re naturally very disappointed that we won’t be able to experience this in person,” says producer Paulo Areal. “I was fortunate enough to attend the festival in 2018 when my film ‘ELLEN: THE STORY OF ELLEN PAKKIES’ played in the program and have always been blown away by the love and support extended to filmmakers by the festival.”
Set in a family gym in Randburg, the film sees the lovable Daryn JNR pitted against the ruthless owner of a multi-national fitness center as he fights to keep his family legacy alive. Starring newcomer Clifford Joshua Young, the comedy also features performances from Hlubi Mboya, Natasha Sutherland, Siv Ngesi, and Deon Coetzee.
Here are some behind the scene photos taken by Paulo Areal:
The film is available nationwide on eVOD (https://watch.evod.co.za) for everyone to enjoy.
Watch the trailer for DARYN’S GYM below:
DARYN’S GYM is proudly presented by eVOD, in association with Nostalgia Productions and TMPC.
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Goeie nuus dat plaaslike film, DARYN’S GYM gekies is vir die IFFR (International Film Festival Rotterdam)! Die filmregisseur, Brett Michael Innes en vervaardiger, Paulo Areal is buite hulself van opgewondenheid! Dit is nie al dag dat ‘n komedie aandag ontvang by enige filmfeeste nie so om een van die gekose films te wees by een van die grootste filmfeeste in die wereld, is besonders!
Met 340,000 filmtoelatings en byna 2,700 gaste in die filmbedryf wat die fees bywoon (waarvan 346 filmregisseurs is), is die IFFR een van die grootste gehore in die wereld. Die filmfees se amptelike kieslys sluit meer as 570 “feature”, mid-lengte en kort-films in uit bykans 90 lande en bied ook ‘n hoe-kwaliteit reeks uitstallings, optredes, meesterklas aanbiedinge en ingeligte praatjies. Die 51e aflewering van die IFFR vind plaas vanaf 26 Januarie tot 6 Februarie 2022.
Alishia van Deventer
Cell: 083 635 4717
E-mail: alishia@starburstmusic.co.za
Website: www.starburstmusic.co.za
