COKEY FALKOW FOR “FLORIDA ROAD”

Durban comedian to play in new movie set in and around Durban.

Comedian and talented all-rounder Cokey Falkow has just scored a part in an upcoming movie, set in and about Durban, called Florida Road directed by Brad Glass, with South African cinematographer Dave Aenmay (Faith Like Potatoes) and a screenplay by Fred Fontana out of Hollywood California.

Falkow was born and schooled in Durban (DHS) and proudly says that he ‘grew up’ with the rest of the surfer boys (including popular Durban men-about town, The Holmes Brothers) on South Beach.

Besides Cokey the movie’s impressive cast line-up includes Bollywood actors Ashmit Patel as Shaan and Vipin Sharma as Raj and South African actresses Corine Du Toit (Egoli) and Vicky Davis. Cokey will play 'Deon', the best friend of the main character Shaan. Vipin Sharma’s most recent film Taare Zameen Par is up for consideration for an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film from India.

“The film has a universal theme with a Bollywood flavour and a storyline that people from all cultures can relate to and enjoy,” explains director Brad Glass. “It will be shot to highlight the beauty and diversity of the people from both South Africa and India. Deon is a lovable, slightly offbeat struggling actor who, through his positive outlook on life provides the stability and wisdom that his best friend Shaan needs to help him figure out his life's struggles.

“Cokey's character brings the humour factor to the film providing constant one-liners and charm,” Glass continues. “I personally met with Cokey and had him read for the role. He did an amazing job and understood Deon so well that he was quick to suggest some different comedy avenues that I could take the character. We hit it off immediately.”

The Durban Film Office (DFO) is the film-industry development arm of the Ethekwini Municipality, mandated to position Durban as a world-class film production destination and facilitate development of the local film industry in Durban & KZN.

Acting chief executive officer of DFO, Toni Monty, says: “Casting one of our local celebs in one of the lead roles in Florida Road is fantastic news. We are thrilled that both Brad Glass and Fred Fontana have really fallen in love with the idea of setting this story in Durban and bringing our city and its people to life on the big screen.”

Cokey Falkow, who has delayed his emigration plans to Los Angeles so that he can make the movie next year, says that he is “very excited” about doing this film - not only because its being shot in his home-town but because of the story. “Florida Road is about Indian Durban, something I’m familiar and comfortable with and the role is a character-driven piece which extends me as an actor. It’s a great combination.”

He has also been signed up to play The Devil in a new movie called Orgie for Made In Africa Films. The movie, which was written by and also stars Vicky Davis, is based on Andre P Brink’s epic poem of the same name. Cokey says he is keen to increase his film and television work, part of the motivation for his move to LA, but loves the ‘immediacy’ of stand-up and “wouldn’t dream of ever giving it up!”

Florida Road is set to start shooting in and around Durban in May 2009.