FLORIDA ROAD

Shooting to start on Durban-based movie.

Florida Road, an independent movie being produced by Sunworld Productions, will start shooting in Durban this month. The film focuses on the culturally diverse city of Durban, South Africa, and features leading local and international actors.

“We are thrilled that Florida Road provides yet another opportunity to present Durban as a leading location on the international movie scene,” says Toni Monty, head of the Durban Film Office (DFO), “and we hope to see the Durban public taking ownership of this film when they see scenes being shot, right on their doorstep.”

Florida Road tells the story of Shaan, a mid-20’s Indian man with a heart of gold and a desire to write the next great Hollywood screenplay. Shaan and his two brothers, (Sanjay & Mani) moved to Durban with their parents from Mumbai, India, who wanted to provide a better life and career opportunities for their children. Shaan has yet to succeed largely because of the struggles he has in understanding the relationships with the people closest to him … especially his father and his eldest brother, Sanjay. When an untimely health issue hits the family, secrets are exposed and Shaan is forced to come to terms with life itself. The movie is a heartfelt story about love, culture, family values and following your dreams.

The film will be directed by Brad Glass, who had been developing the story for several years. He has spent a large part of his professional career working as an actor in his native United States and in several different countries including Spain, Australia, Italy and South Africa.

Fred Fontana wrote Florida Road from an original concept, suggested by Glass. Fontana is a Hollywood veteran who has been both a producer and writer. He was a producer on American hits Soldier starring Kurt Russell and Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase. His other feature credits include The Specialist with Sylvester Stallone and The Next Karate Kid with Hilary Swank. He recently produced the ‘indie’ film Stone & Ed and has written for the television series Diagnosis Murder.

The handsome popular Bollywood star Ashmit Patel with play the lead role of Shaan. This promising young actor from India has starred in such Bollywood films as Murder and Banaras and is making big splashes fresh off his roles in the new films The Flag and Friends Forever. The talented Bollywood actor Vipin Sharma, who recently co-starred in the Disney acquisition Taare Zameen Par, will portray Patel’s father in the film, Raj.

Accomplished Bollywood actress Smita Jayakar who has acted in over 100 films will play the role of Shaan’s mother while the part of Sanjay will be played by Bollywood actor Priyanshu Chatterjee who brings his acting talent to this complex role.

Rounding out part of the Sekhar family will be South African actress Vicky Davis, who will portray Shaan’s sister-in-law Charlene. She enjoyed a successful run on the hit South African series 7De Laan. Corine Du Toit from Egoli plays Sheila, an aspiring actress who meets Patel’s character Shaan at an audition and helps pave the way of his progression. Florida Road will be one of the first feature films Du Toit tackles after her recent departure from the hit series. Jack Devnarain of Isidingo fame returns to his home city to play the family doctor. Another cast member is South African actor and comedian Cokey Falkow who will play Shaan’s best

Independent South African cinematographer Dave Aenmey, who worked behind the camera on the much-anticipated South African film Hansie will shoot the movie. His recent credits include the critically acclaimed Faith Like Potatoes and Lost Souls. Award-winning composer, producer, arranger and conductor Andrew T Mackay is responsible for the music.