Publisher: Woza Weekend
Date: November, 2015
When FRANK (Wandile Molebatsi)’s lifelong friend KHAYA (Godfrey Thobejane) turns up with another money-making scheme, Frank is tempted into throwing in the entire boss’s money into a fixed boxing match.
FRANK’s life is about to change. As an honest bookkeeper and like most honest men he’s not making much money from his salary. There is always more month at the end of the money and the bills are relentless. Frank has seen his boss prosper while he is caught up in his dull and dreary life, however, an opportunity presents itself when his lifetime and best friend, KHAYA, approaches him with a sure bet.
Genre: Action Comedy
Category: Fiction Feature Film
Run time: 92 Minutes
Director: Bonginhlanhla Ncube
Cast: Wandile Molebatsi, Luthuli Dlamini, Godfrey Thobejane
Safe Bet was completed in July, 2015 and it immediately commenced its festival run. After the private screening held at the Durban International Film Festival, the film immediately got a theatrical release from Sterkinekor, South Africa’s leading and biggest cinema chain. Also from the same festival a worldwide sales deal was secured with Ten10Films, a distribution wing of Restless Global.
Barely 4 months after completion, the film had been officially selected in 6 festivals and travelled to entertain audiences in the US and Europe. The general feedback was that the comedy in the film is of universal nature. As an action comedy movie of an international appeal it was no surprise that the movie was invited to screen at Europe’s largest comedy festival, Comedy Cluj in Romania at one of the largest theatres in Bucharest.
Cinema Florin Piersic, Bucharest, Romania
The US tour saw Safe Bet maintaining its 100% win rate when it snatched Best Action Sequence, Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Kids/Family movie and Best International Feature Film missing BET’s $5,000 reward by just an inch since BET was awarding Best Short Film. Safe Bet may as well have earned its highest award when Mr. Bonginhlanhla “Mr. B” Ncube, the Director, received recognition from the California State Assembly for his outstanding work in Safe Bet.
The following are the key people that made SAFE BET, however, there are many others who worked as much if not double. Full credit list can be downloaded here...
Frank is a qualified accountant in deep debt… Watch Wandile’s Interview here...
KHAYA is that friend who is both annoying and can’t live without pal who often lands you in trouble.
The DOC is a former GP (General Practitioner), runs an illegal betting tote. Watch Luthuli’s Interview here...
Lucy is Frank’s long standing love interest who avails herself at the wrong time.
MK/Makena is Lucy's partner in crime, they do 'things' together.
Frank’s stay home mom. Mrs. Manaka is dedicated to taking care of her husband.
Frank’s beloved father who launches him on a mission. Watch Jerry’s interview here...
Frank’s neighbor on the wall who knows everything (and is friends with the postman)
Also known as “Mr. B”, Bonginhlanhla Ncube is an international award winning producer/director. Watch Mr. B’s interview here...
Nokuthula successfully produced her first Television film with Bonginhlanhla back in 2011. She has an eye for spotting success in a film.
Jason is based in New York and works with Safe Bet Producers in its US market & sales.
Carl's unwaivered creative writing cannot be ignored in Safe Bet. The story he wrote contains universal humour.
Denford is an award-winning cinematographer with a great sense of framing and story-telling through the lens.
Graduating from Pretoria Film & TV School in 1996, Michael’s storytelling skills through editing are simply amazing.
Geo Hoehn is an award-winning film score composer who brings out the right emotions through sound.
Jim is an immaculate sound designer who takes the film Safe Bet to another level.
Annelize’s eye for detail and innovation gives Safe Bet an authentic setting.
WINNING AWARDS
From the time Safe Bet was completed in July 2015, it has enjoyed the longest and record breaking 100% win rate, meaning, it has won every award from a festival/award it received nomination.
Comedy Cluj International Film Festival Bucharest, Romania, October 2015
Global Independent Film Awards
USA,
July 2015
Queen City Film Festival
Pennsylvania, USA,
October 2015
California State Assembly
San Francisco, USA,
October 2015
Silicon Valley African Film Festival
San Francisco, USA,
October 2015
Bronzelens Film Festival
Atlanta, USA,
November 2015
Here are some images from the set of Safe Bet, shooting this masterpiece was a pure joy. Loads of fun on set translating to tons of smiles and laughter.
Here are a few published stories if you wish to catch up on the news. We obviously put the juicy news only.
For more infomation visit sterkinekor.com
Television Broadcast
TBA
Video On Demand platforms
TBA
Buy
Safe Bet will be available on DVD in South Africa and the rest of the world.
TBC.
Safe Bet releases in cinemas in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe from 11 March 2016. Watch the movie’s trailer on the home page and find the cinema nearest to you in the list.
Sukuma Media
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
Ten10films
