The mummy returns home

Forgiveness, the second film of the Dv8 initiative, written by prolific scribe Greg Latter, and to be directed by lauded commercials director Ian Gabriel, has received a welcome boost with the announcement that internationally recognized South African actor Arnold Vosloo has signed on to play the lead role.

Arnold Vosloo, so taken by the story of one man's quest for absolution amid a people destroyed by the weight of his sins, has agreed to play the lead role in the Dv8 film. This casting coup marks the return of Vosloo to South African cinema since his daring work in Circles in a Forest. Vosloo is set to star as Tertius Coetzee, a former Apartheid cop, psychologically tormented by the atrocities he committed in his past. His journey into Paternoster is the catalyst for a harrowing series of events that irrecoverably change the fate of the Grootboom family and the community in which they live. Vosloo's character has shades of classic anti-heroes like De Niro's Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver and Pacino's Will Dormer in Insomnia.

According to Ian Gabriel, the film's narration is in the style of a genre Western set in contemporary South Africa. Says Ian, "the night after we sent the script to Arnold he called me from LA to say he'd commit immediately to the project. He loves the precipitous arc of the lead character in the screenplay and saw this as a great opportunity to get his teeth into a role that has range, substance and passion. We've put together a great South African cast who are all looking forward to start rehearsals."

Jeremy Nathan and Joel Phiri, Executive Producers of Dv8, an initiative that will over the next 3 years develop, produce and market 12 genuinely South African digital feature films, are delighted with the news. "It is exciting to have Arnold on board the film. With Greg's amazing script and Ian's strong visual approach, we welcome an actor of Arnold's caliber and status. Arnold's star has been rising internationally after The Mummy films and his recent US television work, and we believe he is perfect for the role of Tertius."

Arnold Vosloo quickly established a fine reputation as an actor in his native South Africa, winning several awards for his theatre work, including More Is In Lang Dag, Don Juan and Torch Song Trilogy. A regular performer on the South African stage, he also played leading roles in Savages, Twelfth Night and Hamlet. His film career in South Africa brought him The Dalro Award as Best Actor for both Boetie Gaan Border Toe (1984) and Circles in a Forest (1990). After moving to the United States, he appeared in Born In The R.S.A. at Chicago's Northlight Theatre and starred with Al Pacino and Sheryl Lee in the celebrated Salomé. Vosloo established himself as a strong character actor landing prime antagonist roles for auteur directors like Ridley Scott 1492: Conquest of Paradise, John Woo's Hard Target and George Miller's Zeus and Roxanne. Equally at home on the television screen, Vosloo appeared in American Gothic for Fox and Nash Bridges for CBS. But it was his starring role in Stephen Sommer's blockbuster series The Mummy and The Mummy Returns that really propelled Vosloo to the pinnacle of Hollywood stardom.

Vosloo will star alongside, Zane Meas (of Isidingo fame) who will play the role of Hendrik Grootboom, while theatre sensation Quanita Adams (Valley Song, At Her Feet) will play Sannie, the only daughter of the Grootbooms. Young hopeful Christo Davids (Shooting Bokkie) will play Sannie's younger brother Ernest. Veteran thespian Lionel Newton (Jump The Gun) will take on the role of Luke, one third of the "angels of death".

Forgiveness tells the story of an ex-cop on a search for redemption in the austere West Coast fishing town of Paternoster. His arrival signals the start of a cathartic re-birth for the family of one of his victims and triggers a ferocious road-trip for three comrades bent on revenge. Like Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas and Eastwood's Unforgiven, the powerful themes at work in Forgiveness will cast a lasting spell over you.

The Producers of Dv8 are still on the prowl for young, exciting writers and filmmakers, and the call for entries remains open to all South Africans around the country. The producers are looking for character driven, innovative South African stories. The sooner you submit your entry the greater the opportunity for early selection.

The major partners of the Dv8 project are financial powerhouse Rand Merchant Bank, the National Film and Video Foundation, local broadcaster SABC2 and theatrical distributor Ster-Kinekor. Berlin and Zurich based sales agency First Hand Films will handle the international sales.

For more information on DV8, log onto www.dv8.co.za , e-mail or call the info line number – 082 231 0051.