Beast

‘Beast’, starring Idris Elba and Sharlto Copley, is now in theatres. Image via Instagram @beastmovie_official

‘Beast’: South Africa takes centre-stage in new Idris Elba movie

‘Beast’, which stars a line-up of South African actors alongside Idris Elba, puts the spotlight on the best of what the country has to offer.

Beast

‘Beast’, starring Idris Elba and Sharlto Copley, is now in theatres. Image via Instagram @beastmovie_official

Beast, a gripping new adventure-thriller, stars Idris Elba and our very own South African actors Sharlto Copley, Naledi Mogadime, Kazi Khuboni and Martin Munro. The movie premiered on 8 August in New York City, and 11 August in Cape Town…and is already making waves!

‘BEAST’: SYNOPSIS

The new film tells the story of Dr Nate Daniels (Idris Elba). Daniels returns to South Africa, where he and his deceased wife originally met.

Alongside his two daughters, the family are being hunted by a lion on the prowl in a South African game reserve. His old friend Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley), who is a wildlife biologist, runs the reserve.

‘BEAST’ FILMED IN SOUTH AFRICA

The film was shot in several locations across South Africa, such as the Northern Province, Limpopo, Cape Town and finally the Northern Cape. Beast marks another outstanding triumph for the South African film industry, showcasing the very best of our diverse landscapes and the undeniable talent of the country’s actors.

South African actor Martin Munro, known for his roles in Moffie, Black Sails and Warrior, reckons it’s about time.

“We’ve been here, and we’ve been doing it for years and years. And I think it’s about time that we get the credit that we deserve. You know, because we’re world-class,” Munro told News24 at the film’s Cape Town premiere at the V&A Waterfront.

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Fellow South African actor Sharlto Coply, who has previously starred in The A-Team, Elysium and South African sci-fi flick District 9, spoke to Eyewitness News about Beast.

“Ever since District 9, whenever I can I try and do whatever I can to bring the spotlight back here and showcase the country or the people and this one we got to have an incredible South African crew as well, working at the highest levels of production. It features incredible landscapes and wildlife that we have here.”

In an interview with CapeTalk, the actor shared that awards don’t serve as his main source of motivation.

“I’ve never been interested in the awards side of our business. Like, I would love my projects to do well commercially, but I’ve always felt a very strange feeling around, like, giving awards for what we do… it’s kind of irrelevant to me, either way.”

BIG SCREEN DEBUT

This also marks the first role on the big screen by model and actress Naledi Mogadime, who is known for her appearance in Big Brother Mzansi.

In conversation with Eyewitness News, the actress shared her excitement for members of the public to see the new film.

“I can’t wait for South Africans to see our country from a different perspective, from an international perspective. It’s going to be beautiful.”

Beast is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

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