Everglade Gold for Oil on Water

Oil on Water is directed by South African director Peter Matthews, who accepted the award for the film.

Hailed by filmgoers as one of the best films to come out of this country in recent years, Oil on Water was the only SA film nominated, taking the Gold award away from the UK, Canadian and Irish films nominated in the Best Feature Film category, including award winning director Ivan Kavanagh's new feature Tin Can Man, which recently won two International Awards at this year's Sydney Underground Film Festival.

The festival showcased films from the likes of four-time Emmy Award winner Mike Reiss, award-winning filmmaker Gary Null, and multi-award winning director and Cannes winner Michael Attardi.

Oil on Water is billed as an insightful portrayal into what it is like to live with an undiagnosed psychological disorder and touches on emotional, psychological and spiritual issues that affect every human being at some time in their lives. Oil on Water has been described as a filmmaking tapestry, layered and textured with exquisite cinematography and psychological drama. The film depicts some of the most stunning locations in KZN.

Aims to uncover

Oil on Water aims to uncover one of the worlds' most heartbreaking and afflictive secrets – the effects of schizophrenia on those who suffer from it, and on those who love and live with them.

According to writer and producer Elle Matthews, “Over 51 million people in the world suffer from the disorder, which is 10 million more than the estimated 41 million people who are infected with HIV/Aids. Schizophrenia does not differentiate between race, culture and social class. It affects one in 100 people worldwide and is the leading cause of suicide in the world. Those statistics demand greater awareness for this mental disorder, and Oil on Water gives an honest voice to this silent killer.”

Because of the universality of the issues it addresses and the quality of the production, it has also been praised by international industry players, ahead of its distribution overseas.

Oil on Water will be released at a special pre-screening in South African cinemas on Wednesday, 10 October 2007, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

For more information, go to www.oilonwater-movie.com.