SKOONHEID BEST SA FILM AT DURBAN FILM FEST

The internationally acclaimed Afrikaans gay-themed film Skoonheid (Beauty) has scooped the Best South African Feature Film award at last week’s 32nd Durban International Film Festival.

“The film is meticulously made, and tells a complex South African story with universal appeal. The film’s subtlety, control and knowledge of film history reveal a director on a remarkable trajectory,” said the judges.

Directed by Capetonian Oliver Hermanus, Skoonheid tells the story of Francois (Deon Lotz), a ‘straight’, Afrikaans, middle-aged family man, who find himself increasingly obsessed with a friend’s beautiful 22-year-old son, Christian (Charlie Keegan).

Skoonheid also received a Special Mention in the feature film category “…for the courage to explore this taboo subject matter in Africa today through this powerful film”.

The Durban International Film Festival has become a highly respected event on the international film calendar.

In May, Skoonheid became the first Afrikaans film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to win the Queer Palm award.

Skoonheid is released in South Africa this Friday.

Read our exclusive interview with Hermanus here and watch the film’s trailer below.