Moffie

Moffie
Directed byOliver Hermanus
Screenplay by
  • Oliver Hermanus
  • Jack Sidey
Based onMoffie
by Andre Carl van der Merwe
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJamie Ramsay
Edited by
  • Alain Dessauvage
  • George Hanmer
Music byBraam du Toit
Production
company
Portobello Productions
Release date
  • 4 September 2019 (2019-09-04)
(Venice)
Running time
99 minutes
Countries
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • English[1]
Box office$28,704[2]

Moffie is a 2019 biographical war romantic drama film co-written and directed by Oliver Hermanus. Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by André Carl van der Merwe, the film depicts mandatory conscription into the notorious South African Defence Force (SADF) during apartheid through the eyes of a young closeted character Nicholas van der Swart (Kai Luke Brümmer) as he attempts to hide his attraction to another gay recruit (Ryan de Villiers) in a hostile environment.[3] The title derives from a homophobic slur in South Africa used to police masculinity.[4][5]

The film had its world premiere release at the Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2019.[6] It also had its special screenings at other film festivals and received a number of accolades in various categories.[7] Its original 2020 theatrical release was disrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Distributed by Curzon Cinemas in the UK and IFC Films in the US, it was made available to stream and released in select cinemas in 2021.[8]

  1. ^ "'Moffie': First Trailer for Venice Buzz Title About Homosexuality in Apartheid South Africa, 'Ida' Producer Among Team". Deadline Hollywood. 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Moffie (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  3. ^ Brooks, Xan (4 September 2019). "Moffie review – soldiers on the frontline of homophobia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  4. ^ de Waal, Shaun (1995). "Etymological note: On 'moffie'". In Gevisser, Mark; Cameron, Edwin (eds.). Defiant Desire: Gay and Lesbian Lives in South Africa. Routledge. p. xiii. ISBN 0-415-91060-9.
  5. ^ Sulcas, Roslyn (7 April 2021). "From a South African Slur to a Scathing Drama About Toxic Masculinity". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  6. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (5 October 2019). "Venice Drama 'Moffie' Explores Homophobia in South Africa". Variety. Variety Media. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Eye-opening film 'Moffie' is set to strut its stuff at Venice Film Festival". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  8. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (10 April 2021). "'Moffie': New Trailer For BAFTA-Nominated Queer Drama Set In Apartheid South Africa; IFC Releases April 9 In U.S." Deadline. Retrieved 2 August 2021.