STER-KINEKOR CELEBRATES SOUTH AFRICAN STORYTELLING WITH EXCLUSIVE LOCAL FILM RELEASES

From chilling horror to laugh-out-loud comedy, Ster-Kinekor shines the spotlight on homegrown cinema this winter

The Trek – break-out SA hit film launches at Ster-Kinekor following a prolific international run

Ster-Kinekor is celebrating the richness, diversity and creativity of South African filmmaking with the exclusive release of two distinctly different local productions over the next two months. From an atmospheric Western horror to a proudly local comedy, audiences can experience some of the country's most compelling new stories on the big screen at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas.

Each film showcases a unique South African voice and demonstrates the breadth of local storytelling currently emerging from some of the country's leading filmmakers.

The Trek

For fans of the darker side of cinema, The Trek delivers an unsettling blend of Western and horror. This local film releases exclusively from 31 July at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas, following a triumphant film festival tour with selections at the Shanghai International Film Festival, Raindance in London and BIFAN in South Korea. This film has also received a Jury Prize win at Fantasporto in Portugal and a Best Cinematography win at Fantaspoa in Brazil.

Set in 1846, the film follows a desperate group of settlers crossing the unforgiving Kalahari Desert. As starvation, suspicion and madness begin to consume them, two mysterious desert spirits appear to watch over their increasingly terrifying journey.

The Trek follows a family of 1846 Dutch-Afrikaans settlers (Morné Visser and Trix Vivier) and their British benefactor (Rob Van Vuuren) as they make the perilous journey across the Kalahari to assert their claim on a plot of land. When they’re joined by a mysterious Khoen stranger (Maurice Carpede), the group soon realises that they are being stalked by something older and far more merciless than the desert itself.

The “unbelievably stunning” (Variety) film is led by celebrated Durban-born cinematographer Meekaaeel Adam, making his directorial debut. Having earned awards as both director and cinematographer for the film, Adam has been called “one of South Africa’s most daring, new voices” by Variety. “This film belongs to our audience,” says Adam. “After seeing this story travel around the world, receiving such warm reception from people of all walks of life, it makes me incredibly proud to share it with a local theatre-going audience back at home.”

Watch the trailer here

This gripping supernatural thriller will screen exclusively at Ster-Kinekor's Brooklyn, Garden Route Mall, Rosebank Nouveau and V&A Waterfront cinemas from Friday 31 July.

Crazy Heist

This film releases exclusively from Friday 07 August at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas.

Bringing plenty of local humour to the big screen is Crazy Heist, a comedy centred around the colourful members of the Jukulyn Stokvel as they prepare for their year-end getaway to Hartbeespoort.

With financial pressures mounting, gambling debts, relationship drama and the appointment of the group's famously stingy member to collect the travel fund, the stokvel's plans quickly spiral into a series of hilarious misadventures that celebrate the quirks, personalities and everyday realities familiar to many South Africans.

Watch the trailer here

Crazy Heist will screen exclusively at Ster-Kinekor cinemas at Mall of the North, Wonderpark, Mall of Africa, Eastgate, Southgate, Rustenburg, Ilanga and Mimosa from Friday, 07 August.

Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer at Ster-Kinekor, says supporting local productions remains an important part of the cinema group's commitment to the South African film industry.

"South African filmmakers continue to produce exceptional stories that deserve to be experienced on the big screen. Whether it's an intimate human drama, a genre-defying thriller or a comedy that reflects our unique culture and humour, these films showcase the incredible talent that exists within our local industry. We are proud to provide a platform for South African productions and encourage audiences to support local storytelling by enjoying these exclusive releases at Ster-Kinekor cinemas."

As the country's leading cinema exhibitor, Ster-Kinekor continues to champion locally produced content by giving South African filmmakers the opportunity to connect with cinema audiences and celebrate stories that reflect the country's diverse experiences, cultures and creativity.

With these two exclusive releases offering something different and something local for movie lovers, there's never been a better time to discover the best of South African cinema on the big screen.

Bookings are now open so get your tickets on the new-look website at www.sterkinekor.com or download the new-look SK App on your smartphone. For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @Ster-Kinekor. For all queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).

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ENDS

Issued by:                                             aHead PR                                                      

On behalf of:                                        Ster-Kinekor Theatres                                                               

For media information:                     Janet de Kretser                                                 

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About Ster-Kinekor Theatres

Ster-Kinekor Theatres is the largest movie exhibitor on the African continent. To most South Africans, the word ‘movies’ is synonymous with the name ‘Ster-Kinekor’. The company operates 32 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa that house 249 large-scale screens, with 33 110 seats and the largest 3D footprint featuring 99 state-of-the-art 3D screens in South Africa (Commercial, 3D, IMAX, Kids Cinema and Cine Prestige). It also operates four cinema complexes in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with 23 screens and 3 014 seats.

As the industry leader, Ster-Kinekor has pioneered cinema concepts such as Cinema Nouveau, a dedicated art-house multiplex cinema, and the luxurious Cine Prestige theatres, the first ‘business class’ cinema experience in South Africa; and has headed the return of the IMAX® Experience, with nine IMAX® Theatres across the country. Ster-Kinekor has expanded its cinema innovation to launch the first Kids’ Cinema complete with slides and bean bag seating (currently seven screens) as well as D-BOX which brings movie experiences to life with motion seats. Most recently, Ster-Kinekor introduced SKX-PERIENCE Powered by Jozi X at The Zone in Rosebank, an indoor adventure hub offering axe throwing, gel blaster, splatter room and escape rooms, adding a new dimension to the Ster-Kinekor entertainment experience.

As one of South Africa’s most loved brands, it is Ster-Kinekor’s ongoing mission to become synonymous with the unrivalled magic of the cinema experience, by providing ‘Great Moments at Their Greatest’. During 2013, the company embarked on a massive roll-out project to convert and equip every cinema with the very latest in digital projection and sound technology. The result of this upgrade is that every cinema now boasts state-of-the-art cinema technology that encompasses 2K and 4K digital projection and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems.

The SK Club loyalty programme rewards members with redeemable points when they swipe their card when buying movie tickets or catering, as well as half-price tickets on Tuesdays. Alongside the industry-leading Discovery Vitality loyalty programme, this enhances Ster-Kinekor’s strong consumer value proposition and competitive advantage. Ster-Kinekor has extended its loyalty offering to include the first subscription model in South Africa: SK Subscription Club, which offers members a limited or unlimited number of movies per month at a set cost whilst also enjoying the benefits of SK Club.

As the market leader, Ster-Kinekor aims to spearhead the advancement of cinema across both South Africa and the rest of Africa, to ensure that consumers continue to experience movies as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.

See more at: www.sterkinekor.com