Poppie Nongena is a 2019 South African biographical drama film written and directed by award-winning director Christiaan Olwagen.[1] The film is based on a biographical novel Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena (The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena) by Elsa Joubert which is also considered as one of the finest African novels of the twentieth century.[2] The film stars Clementine Mosimane playing the title role, Anna-Mart van der Merwe and Chris Gxalaba in the lead roles. The film was released on 31 January 2020 and received positive reviews from the critics.[3] It won several awards and nominations at a few film festivals. The film won 12 awards in the 2019 Silwerskerm Film Festival including the Best Film Accolade.[4] The record haul of 12 awards is regarded as the highest tally ever recorded for a single film at an Afrikaans film festival.[5]
| Poppie Nongena | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Christiaan Olwagen |
| Written by | Christiaan Olwagen Saartjie Botha |
| Based on | Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena by Elsa Joubert |
| Produced by | Helena Spring |
| Starring | Clementine Mosimane Anna-Mart van der Merwe Chris Gxalaba |
| Cinematography | Vicci Turpin |
| Edited by | Eva du Preez |
Production company | Helena Spring Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
| Country | South Africa |
| Language | Afrikaans |
Synopsis
editThe film revolves around Poppie Nongena, an Afrikaans/Xhosa South African whose life revolves around her family and finding stability in a period of immense upheaval in apartheid South Africa where women were forced by arrests. When Poppie's husband Stone becomes too ill to manage and maintain his contract work, Poppie is deemed by the state of law to be an illegal resident of the country.[6]
Cast
edit- Clementine Mosimane as Poppie Nongena
- Anna-Mart van der Merwe as Antoinette Swanepoel
- Chris Gxalaba as Stone
- Nomsa Nene as Lena
- Rolanda Marais as Magriet
Nominations
editSouth African Film and Television Awards
editPoppie Nongena was nominated for eight Golden Horn awards at the 2020 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).
- Best Feature Film: Helena Spring (producer of Poppie Nongena)
- Best Achievement in Directing — Feature Film: Christiaan Olwagen
- Best Actress — Feature Film: Clementine Mosimane
- Best Supporting Actress — Feature Film: Anna-Mart van der Merwe
- Best Achievement in Script Writing — Feature Film: Christiaan Olwagen and Saartjie Botha
- Best Achievement in Cinematography — Feature Film: Vicci Turpin
- Best Achievement in Costume Design — Feature Film: Sylvia van Heerden
- Best Achievement in Make-up and Hairstyling — Feature Film: Gale Shepherd
Camerimage
edit- Best Film Adaptation: Christiaan Olwagen
References
edit- ^ "Poppie Nongena | Nu Metro". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "The real family, and story, behind the Poppie Nongena film". citizen.co.za. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Poppie Nongena Film Moves Audience to Tears". Mzansi Magic - Poppie Nongena Film Moves Audience to Tears. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Silwerskerm Film Festival: 'Poppie Nongena' wins big". Channel24. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "WATCH: The true-life story of Poppie Nongena coming to the big screen". Channel. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ yomzansi (27 January 2020). "MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Local drama film 'Poppie Nongena' arrives this week | | YoMZansi". www.yomzansi.com. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "About The Film – Poppie Nongena Film". Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ Poppie Nongena (2019) - Awards - IMDb, retrieved 12 April 2023
