EXCLUSIVE: Summerside Media recently secured global distribution rights for the dramatic film Laundry, directed by South African filmmaker Zamo Mkhwanazi. The company announced its plans to introduce the film at the American Film Market (AFM).
The movie made its initial debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this past September within the Discovery section, garnering positive reviews. The plot is inspired by the real-life experiences of Mkhwanazi’s relatives during the apartheid era, a period of institutionalized racial segregation enforced by the then-dominant white government of South Africa from 1948 until 1994.
Taking place in 1968, the film features Ntobeko Sishi in the role of Khuthala, a young man who is indifferent towards his family’s laundry business. He aspires to earn a living through music instead.
However, Khuthala’s ambitions are challenged as the apartheid regime intensifies its restrictions on Black-owned businesses. Caught between his musical aspirations and the need to stand against the oppressive system threatening his family’s livelihood, he faces a critical crossroads.
Francesca Manno, the managing director and co-founder of Summerside Media, expressed her admiration for Mkhwanazi’s work: “From the first showing, Zamo’s artistic vision captivated us. Her direction combines strength with poetic grace. We view her as a remarkably talented filmmaker, and Laundry is an exceptional film that is both compelling and beautifully crafted.”
The film is a collaborative production between Switzerland and South Africa, produced by Akka Films and Kude Media, in conjunction with RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse and Mojo Entertainment.
Its production team includes Philippe Coeytaux, Zamo Mkhwanazi, Jim Stark, Nicolas Wadimoff, and co-producer Marco Orsini.
Based in Rome and Lecce, Summerside Media specializes in international sales and production, focusing particularly on films driven by distinct directorial visions.
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