The South African film industry is growing at 9.4% and generating over R5.6bn annually.
“South Africa is attracting more international TV series than ever before, from Black Sails and Dominion to Homeland and Wallander – all using predominantly South African crews and facilitated by local companies,” says David Wicht, Film Afrika’s CEO and executive producer.
Film Afrika has been facilitating international filming in South Africa for the past two decades. Recent highlights include Chronicle, which topped the American box office, and the Oscar-nominated and Golden-Globe winner Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
“So many of the world-class series filmed here are never seen by local audiences, so we’re very excited that M-Net Edge will be screening Dominion, giving South Africans a rare opportunity to see the level of work being produced here.”
Dominion, an epic supernatural drama set in the near future, was shot in Cape Town last year. The hit series takes place 25 years after an army of lower angels waged a war of possession against humankind. The archangel Michael, who turned against his own kind to side with humanity in the Extinction war, watches over Vega (formerly Las Vegas), the largest of the fortified cities protecting the last human survivors.
Dominion stars include South Africa’s Carl Beukes who plays archangel Gabriel, the villain leading the army of lower angels.
International TV series shot here are also creating a higher profile for local actors like Langley Kirkwood, who moved from Black Sails and Dominion to a recurring role in the popular, Emmy-winning American series Banshee.
“The episodic nature of TV series enables leading roles to go to SA actors which is, for the first time, creating international South African TV stars, like Langley, Carl, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Louise Barnes,” says David. “Feature films have a shorter filming period, so are less inclined to take a risk on local actors in leading roles.”
Watch Dominion, on M-Net Edge Mondays at 20:00.
Source: SA – The Good News