KANARIE (Afrikaans for 'Canary') is a coming-of-age musical war drama, set in South Africa in 1985, about a young boy who discovers how through hardship, camaraderie, first love, and the liberating freedom of music, the true self can be discovered.
KANARIE is 'n musikale oorlogsdrama, wat afspeel in Suid-Afrika in 1985 en die storie van 'n jong seun vertel wat in 'n tyd van onderdrukking geforseer word om sy identiteit te vind.
Set in South Africa in 1985 against a backdrop of apartheid, religion, and war, CANARY follows a teen boy, Johan Niemand, who has always been bullied in his small town for his flair for British new wave music and love of Boy George. After he gets called on by the military and auditions for the Canaries (the South African Defence Force Church Choir and Concert Group), he believes the choir will be his ticket out of fighting the war, but he begins to see the role he plays in the oppression and injustice around him. On tour, he develops feelings for a fellow Canary and he starts to question everything he knows about himself, leading to a confrontation with his commanding officers.
Kanarie is a love story. A film about finding individuality in a world of oppression and uniformity.
Wanneer Johan Niemand (Schalk Bezuidenhout) vir militêre diens opgeroep word, oudisie hy vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Kerkkoor en Konsertgroep, die 'Kanaries' en word aanvaar. In 'n politieke landskap waar wet en godsdiens individualiteit onderdruk, moet Johan en die Kanaries militêre opleiding doen en daarna op 'n landwye toer gaan, mense vermaak en geloof in die kerk en weermag versterk.
Op toer ontwikkel Johan gevoelens vir 'n mede-koormaat en dit veroorsaak dat hy alles oor homself en sy wêreld bevraagteken. Hy ontmoet verskeie karakters op toer; sommige trots op die koor se pogings en ander wat hom bewus maak van die realiteit en effek van apartheid in Suid-Afrika. Namate Johan sy geloof, patriotisme en seksualiteit bevraagteken, lei sy opkomende kreatiwiteit en passie vir musiek 'n direkte konflik met sy bevelvoerders.
SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT, HANNES OTTO, GERMANDT GELDENHUYS, GERARD RUDOLF, JACQUES BESSENGER, LUDWIG BINGE, FRANCOIS JACOBS, DE KLERK OELOFSE, DAVID VIVIERS, ANRICO GOOSEN
Kanarie won the following awards at film festivals around the globe:
Best Director: Christiaan Olwagen – Silwerskerm Festival, Cape Town
Best Picture: Silwerskerm Festival, Cape Town
Best Editing: Eva du Preez – Silwerskerm Festival, Cape Town
Best Set Design: Rocco Pool – Silwerskerm Festival, Cape Town
Best Supporting Actor: Germandt Geldenhuys – Silwerskerm Festival, Cape Town
Best Narrative Feature: 36th Reeling Film Festival, Chicago
Best Director: Out on Film, Atlanta
Best Narrative Feature: Out on Film, Atlanta
Best International Narrative: Out on Film, Atlanta
Runner-up: Audience choice for Best International Film, Out on Film, Atlanta
Runner-up: Jury Award for Best Feature, OUTshine Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale
Best LGBTQ film: Cape Town International Film Market & Festival
Special Mention: NEWfest, the NYC LGBT Film Festival
SEE ALL MEDIA GALLERIES
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