Netflix has renewed its first African original Queen Sono for a second season.
Starring Quantico‘s Pearl Thusi, it centers on a highly trained spy who takes on dangerous missions, while also facing challenges in her personal life. The second season will see her search for the truth as her newfound need for revenge takes her on a mission across Africa.
Queen Sono was created by director Kagiso Lediga, who worked with Thusi on dark romantic comedy Catching Feelings, and executive producer Tamsin Andersson, who produced Catching Feelings. Johannesburg-based Diprente Films made the show, with production on Season 2 expected to begin later this year.
Dorothy Ghettuba, who leads African originals at Netflix, said: “The first season of Queen Sono marked the beginning of our journey to introduce the world to exciting stories that are made in Africa. It was an unprecedented representation of a strong female black lead in African television.
Starring Quantico‘s Pearl Thusi, it centers on a highly trained spy who takes on dangerous missions, while also facing challenges in her personal life. The second season will see her search for the truth as her newfound need for revenge takes her on a mission across Africa.
Queen Sono was created by director Kagiso Lediga, who worked with Thusi on dark romantic comedy Catching Feelings, and executive producer Tamsin Andersson, who produced Catching Feelings. Johannesburg-based Diprente Films made the show, with production on Season 2 expected to begin later this year.
Dorothy Ghettuba, who leads African originals at Netflix, said: “The first season of Queen Sono marked the beginning of our journey to introduce the world to exciting stories that are made in Africa. It was an unprecedented representation of a strong female black lead in African television.
- 4/28/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
New Zealand’s Drax Project are enjoying burgeoning global success thanks to a unique musical blend. All of the band’s members attended music school, where they studied jazz. You can hear that influence in their use of saxophone, subtle melodies and delicate vocal interplay, which can bring to mind vintage street corner doo wop and pre-rock and roll crooner confections. Yet, they’re a modern boy band through and through, mixing pop, R&b and hip-hop in a way that places them in a tradition of acts from Boyz...
- 10/1/2019
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
Quantico star Pearl Thusi is to star in Queen Sono – Netflix’s first African original series.
Thusi, who starred as series regular Dayana Mampasi in the ABC drama, is set to play a highly trained spy in a South African agency in the series.
Created by director Kagiso Lediga, who worked with Thusi in dark romantic comedy Catching Feelings, and exec producer Tamsin Andersson, who produced Catching Feelings and Lediga’s coming-of-age adventure Wizard, the series will see Thusi’s character take on dangerous missions, while also facing challenges in her personal life.
The show will launch around the world on the Svod service and will start production in 2019.
It is expected to be one of a number of African originations for Netflix as the digital platform eyes international growth in new markets.
“It’s going to change the game for every artist on this continent,” said Thusi. “I cannot wait for every young woman,...
Thusi, who starred as series regular Dayana Mampasi in the ABC drama, is set to play a highly trained spy in a South African agency in the series.
Created by director Kagiso Lediga, who worked with Thusi in dark romantic comedy Catching Feelings, and exec producer Tamsin Andersson, who produced Catching Feelings and Lediga’s coming-of-age adventure Wizard, the series will see Thusi’s character take on dangerous missions, while also facing challenges in her personal life.
The show will launch around the world on the Svod service and will start production in 2019.
It is expected to be one of a number of African originations for Netflix as the digital platform eyes international growth in new markets.
“It’s going to change the game for every artist on this continent,” said Thusi. “I cannot wait for every young woman,...
- 12/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has ordered its first African original series, “Queen Sono,” a drama about a secret agent who fights crime while dealing with crises in her personal life. The series will launch globally in 2019.
“Queen Sono” stars veteran South African actress Pearl Thusi, who tweeted in an emotional video Monday that she “cannot wait for…every woman on this continent, and actually on this planet, to meet Queen Sono.” Of the deal with Netflix, she added: “It’s going to change the game for every artist on this continent.”
The announcement of the show comes barely a week after Erik Barmack, Netflix’s vice president of international originals, told a gathering in London that the company would begin commissioning original series in Africa starting in 2019.
Speaking about “Queen Sono” with South Africa’s Independent Online, Barmack said: “Taking talent like this and telling stories to the rest of the world puts...
“Queen Sono” stars veteran South African actress Pearl Thusi, who tweeted in an emotional video Monday that she “cannot wait for…every woman on this continent, and actually on this planet, to meet Queen Sono.” Of the deal with Netflix, she added: “It’s going to change the game for every artist on this continent.”
The announcement of the show comes barely a week after Erik Barmack, Netflix’s vice president of international originals, told a gathering in London that the company would begin commissioning original series in Africa starting in 2019.
Speaking about “Queen Sono” with South Africa’s Independent Online, Barmack said: “Taking talent like this and telling stories to the rest of the world puts...
- 12/10/2018
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has played a prominent role in this year’s edition of the Marrakech Intl. Film Festival through sponsorship of the main industry event – the Atlas Workshops – and its recent investments in projects involving two of the fest’s highest profile guests – Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”) and Guillermo del Toro (“Pinocchio”).
The streamer recently talked of plans to order original series from Africa as part of its international expansion. It is reported to be securing a rising market share in the Moroccan TV market, in the context of its wider strategy to establish a major footprint across the African and Arab markets.
Securing attractive original local content is key to Netflix’s plans and in this exclusive interview with Variety, Funa Maduka, director of international original films for Netflix, talks about the company’s strategy for the Middle East and African markets.
As sponsor of the Atlas Workshops and as...
The streamer recently talked of plans to order original series from Africa as part of its international expansion. It is reported to be securing a rising market share in the Moroccan TV market, in the context of its wider strategy to establish a major footprint across the African and Arab markets.
Securing attractive original local content is key to Netflix’s plans and in this exclusive interview with Variety, Funa Maduka, director of international original films for Netflix, talks about the company’s strategy for the Middle East and African markets.
As sponsor of the Atlas Workshops and as...
- 12/7/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo has had success with conversational club music, but she understands why listeners tend to lump her songs in with afrobeats: That minimal, swaying, polyrhythmic strain of pop that’s become an “explosive industry” in her country and hit the charts in London, Paris and elsewhere. “It is great for the people who are making afrobeats,” she says. “But there are other genres that other people are making, and they’re not being given as much of a platform. I’m hoping to change that narrative.”
Working with the veteran producer Riton,...
Working with the veteran producer Riton,...
- 10/25/2018
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Durban — Buzzy competition titles and late-night bidding wars might be a staple at some of the world’s biggest film festivals, but sales agents at the 9th edition of the Durban FilmMart (Dfm), which ran parallel to the Durban Int’l. Film Festival this week, said the value of attending the continent’s leading market and finance forum is instead about what one described as “playing the long game.”
“If you’re looking at this as a place where people are selling, categorically not, because the buyers aren’t here,” said Todd Brown, head of international acquisitions at Xyz Films. What drives the Durban mart is “not the selling end, it’s the discovery end.”
He continued, “For me, it’s across the board. I’m looking for directing talent. I’m looking for people who are strong screenwriters. I’m looking for producers who have an interesting eye, and a smart sensibility,...
“If you’re looking at this as a place where people are selling, categorically not, because the buyers aren’t here,” said Todd Brown, head of international acquisitions at Xyz Films. What drives the Durban mart is “not the selling end, it’s the discovery end.”
He continued, “For me, it’s across the board. I’m looking for directing talent. I’m looking for people who are strong screenwriters. I’m looking for producers who have an interesting eye, and a smart sensibility,...
- 7/27/2018
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
South African comedian turned writer-director Kagiso Lediga has had himself a busy year. His feature debut - the Engish language romantic dramedy Catching Feelings, in which he also starred - had its world premiere at the La Film Festival and he's back already with his second effort, local language coming of age crime comedy Wizard (Matwetwe). It’s New Year’s Eve in Atteridgeville and Lefa’s life is on the cusp of major change. Accepted into university to study botany, he’s about to leave the ghetto township that has been his home behind if only his deadbeat father will come through with his school fees. Though he may not need his father’s help at all, not with his horticultural skills and the criminal mind of his albino...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/15/2017
- Screen Anarchy
All relationships are complicated. Very complicated. No relationship is simple.
South African filmmaker Kagiso Lediga stars and directs the romantic comedy Catching Feelings, which is making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival this month.
The film stars almost an entirely black South African cast including Pearl Thusi (Quantico), Andrew Buckland (Shot Down), Akin Omotoso (Blood Diamond), Precious Makgaretsa (Blitzpatrollie), Kate Liquorish (Eye in the Sky), Tessa Jubber (Wallander), and Tyson Cross (The Avengers).
Here’s the synopsis of the film:
Max Matshane (Lediga), is a 34-year-old author who wrote a South African bestseller in his 20s, but whose star has waned and now finds himself as a disgruntled professor, teaching creative writing at the local university. Max lives in a leafy Johannesburg suburb with his exceptionally beautiful wife, Samkelo (Thusi), who career is on the rise as a reputable journalist. Despite their love for each other, their relationship has hit a rut.
South African filmmaker Kagiso Lediga stars and directs the romantic comedy Catching Feelings, which is making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival this month.
The film stars almost an entirely black South African cast including Pearl Thusi (Quantico), Andrew Buckland (Shot Down), Akin Omotoso (Blood Diamond), Precious Makgaretsa (Blitzpatrollie), Kate Liquorish (Eye in the Sky), Tessa Jubber (Wallander), and Tyson Cross (The Avengers).
Here’s the synopsis of the film:
Max Matshane (Lediga), is a 34-year-old author who wrote a South African bestseller in his 20s, but whose star has waned and now finds himself as a disgruntled professor, teaching creative writing at the local university. Max lives in a leafy Johannesburg suburb with his exceptionally beautiful wife, Samkelo (Thusi), who career is on the rise as a reputable journalist. Despite their love for each other, their relationship has hit a rut.
- 6/18/2017
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
Disclaimer: This post contains spoilers for Season 1 of Stranger Things.
Stranger Things hit Netflix and became an almost-instant juggernaut. Seriously, no one out there could have predicted the hit that it was, but more than anything, no one could have expected Barb. That’s right, the nerdy redhead with the common sense that our lead lacked. To many, she was a revelation, and became something of a sensation all on her own…despite the fact that she had maybe 30 lines in the whole series.
Speaking with THR, show producer and director Shawn Levy discussed his bafflement over Barb’s popularity with viewers.
“I think everyone has some Barb in them. I think everyone feels like a misfitting, not cookie cutter, at ease in herself kind of person. We all have felt like an other. We all have felt a little bit on the margin, like we don’t quite fit in.
Stranger Things hit Netflix and became an almost-instant juggernaut. Seriously, no one out there could have predicted the hit that it was, but more than anything, no one could have expected Barb. That’s right, the nerdy redhead with the common sense that our lead lacked. To many, she was a revelation, and became something of a sensation all on her own…despite the fact that she had maybe 30 lines in the whole series.
Speaking with THR, show producer and director Shawn Levy discussed his bafflement over Barb’s popularity with viewers.
“I think everyone has some Barb in them. I think everyone feels like a misfitting, not cookie cutter, at ease in herself kind of person. We all have felt like an other. We all have felt a little bit on the margin, like we don’t quite fit in.
- 6/15/2017
- by Joseph Medina
- LRMonline.com
This year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, better known as Laff if you’re fun, has unveiled its full slate of 2017 offerings, including new offerings from Vincent Grashaw, Leena Pendharkar, Hong Sangsoo, Lea Thompson and many more. The slate includes 48 feature films, 51 short films, 15 high school short films and 10 short episodic works representing 32 countries. The festival’s five competitions feature 37 World Premieres, 2 International Premieres and 9 North American Premieres. Across the competition categories, 42% of the films are directed by women and 40% are directed by people of color.
“Our competitions reflect who Film Independent is as an organization,” said La Film Festival Director Jennifer Cochis. “Within each section you’ll find discovery, diversity, and promising talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Programming Director Roya Rastegar added, “The films curated for the 2017 competition reflect the changing political climate’s impact on emerging independent filmmakers, who are compelled to tell stories about the power of conviction,...
“Our competitions reflect who Film Independent is as an organization,” said La Film Festival Director Jennifer Cochis. “Within each section you’ll find discovery, diversity, and promising talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Programming Director Roya Rastegar added, “The films curated for the 2017 competition reflect the changing political climate’s impact on emerging independent filmmakers, who are compelled to tell stories about the power of conviction,...
- 5/9/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Slate includes 48 films. The Book Of Henry to open festival as previously announced.
The 2017 La Film Festival has unveiled the official Us Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections.
The festival’s slate consists of 48 feature films, 51 short films, 15 high school shorts and 10 short episodic works representing 32 countries. The festival is set to run from June 14-22 in Los Angeles.
Leena Pendharkar’s 20 Weeks (Us), Paul Briganti’s Village People (Us), and Camille Thoman’s Never Here (Us) are among the Us Fiction Competition entries, with each having their world premiere.
The World Competition includes the world premieres of Vashti Anderson’s Moko Jumbie (pictured, Trinidad & Tobago) by Vashti Anderson and Catching Feelings (South Africa) from director Kagiso Lediga, while Arshad Khan’s Abu (Canada) plays in the Documentary Competition.
Mark Hayes’ Skid Row Marathon (Us) and Brandon Buczek’s Your Own Road (Us) will play in the La Muse section, while [link=nm...
The 2017 La Film Festival has unveiled the official Us Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections.
The festival’s slate consists of 48 feature films, 51 short films, 15 high school shorts and 10 short episodic works representing 32 countries. The festival is set to run from June 14-22 in Los Angeles.
Leena Pendharkar’s 20 Weeks (Us), Paul Briganti’s Village People (Us), and Camille Thoman’s Never Here (Us) are among the Us Fiction Competition entries, with each having their world premiere.
The World Competition includes the world premieres of Vashti Anderson’s Moko Jumbie (pictured, Trinidad & Tobago) by Vashti Anderson and Catching Feelings (South Africa) from director Kagiso Lediga, while Arshad Khan’s Abu (Canada) plays in the Documentary Competition.
Mark Hayes’ Skid Row Marathon (Us) and Brandon Buczek’s Your Own Road (Us) will play in the La Muse section, while [link=nm...
- 5/9/2017
- ScreenDaily
The days are getting longer and the nights are getting warmer, which means that we're edging ever closer to this year's La Film Festival. Taking place June 14th–22nd, the La Film Festival's 2017 competition lineup has been unveiled, and of particular interest for genre fans is the Nightfall section, which includes Colin Minihan's It Stains the Sands Red, Julius Ramsay's Midnighters, and Amanda Evans' Serpent.
Press Release: Los Angeles (May 9, 2017)— Today the La Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections. The 2017 La Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts and episodic series, along with programs such as Coffee Talks and Future Filmmakers Showcase. The La Film Festival takes place June 14 – June 22, 2017 headquartered at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City, with additional screenings at ArcLight Hollywood,...
Press Release: Los Angeles (May 9, 2017)— Today the La Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections. The 2017 La Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts and episodic series, along with programs such as Coffee Talks and Future Filmmakers Showcase. The La Film Festival takes place June 14 – June 22, 2017 headquartered at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City, with additional screenings at ArcLight Hollywood,...
- 5/9/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
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