(Pieter-Dirk Uys. Pic
by Robert A Hamblin)
kykNET films and Vry Films in association with Lion’s Head
Productions and Who Projects are proud to announce Nobody’s Died Laughing, a theatrical-action-documentary that
celebrates the life and work of performing artist and activist Pieter-Dirk Uys,
will have its world premiere at the 37th Durban International Film Festival on
June 19 at 18h00 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
In Nobody’s Died
Laughing, a film crew tries to keep up with one of the hardest working
artists in South Africa on a journey from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Grahamstown,
Stellenbosch to London, Berlin and his home in Darling. The film takes a closer
look at the man behind all the famous characters, the humanitarian and his
educational AIDS awareness work, for which he has received international
acclaim.
“This film captures a man and a lifetime commitment to a
country by using satire to affect change,” explains filmmaker Willem Oelofse.
“I started researching Pieter-Dirk Uys in 2014 and spent time with him in his
personal archives in Darling. I found it fascinating that after 50 years in the
entertainment industry he was still working at the same pace and with the same
vigour as when he started. In 2015 we simply picked up a camera and started
following him around wherever he went: performing in Berlin or the Cape Flats,
and watching him teach a room full of teenagers about safe sex. I believe
audiences will be intrigued to experience more about the man who refuses to be
silenced while using the arts as his weapon against discrimination and
confronting intolerance.”
The film also includes never before seen archive footage,
performances and interviews with Desmond Tutu, Charlize Theron, Lizz Meiring,
Anna-Mart van der Merwe, FW De Klerk, Janet Suzman, Thoko Ntshinga, David
Kramer, Zolani Mahola, Vincent Ebrahim, Professor David Gere, Eric Abraham,
Sophia Loren, Jonathan Shapiro and many more, with footage of Tessa Uys and
Nelson Mandela.
Nobody’s Died Laughing
was edited by Geoffrey Butler. Music composed by Josh Wynter features a song
written and performed by Jack Parow, Rebel
till he’s dead – see http://apple.co/1U436M5
The film will have further screenings on June 24 at 18h00 at
Ster Kinekor Musgrave and on June 26 at 21h30 at the Playhouse. It will open in
cinemas around the country on July 29.
For more information regarding the festival visit: http://www.durbanfilmfest.co.za/
Follow the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whoEntProjects;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NobodysDiedLaughing/
or Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zbG9jzckkM&feature=youtu.be
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/6zbG9jzckkM
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