Going global: Darrell Roodt’s ‘Greytown Girl’ secures international rights

 Ahead of production commencing in South Africa later this year, Gravel Road Distribution Group has secured international sales rights with producer Rani Sitaram, for the upcoming feature film Greytown Girl. The biopic romantic drama, which was penned by Sitaram and Rose Cortes, will be directed by Oscar®  nominated Darrell Roodt.

Darrell Roodt’s Greytown girl gets international sales rights

The film tells the true story of a small-town South African girl, Meena, who was abandoned as a baby with physical limitations and goes on to build her life with tremendous bravery.

Through the romance of letter writing, she falls in love and a cross-continental love story begins. Greytown Girl is initially set in 1960s Apartheid South Africa and builds up to the liberation of the nation as well as Meena’s self realisation and self-love. The intimate story is punctuated by South Africa’s climax as a democracy which underpins the narrative with a distinct layer.

“What I love most about Greytown Girl is its authenticity. You can hear the characters come to life on every page, said director Darrell Roodt.

“This is because Meena’s story is a true story, and so are the characters in it. They steeped in culture, which provides depth and richness beyond the image” he added.

“I chose to partner with a distributor with a proven track record of supporting diverse voices, supporting the feminine, and that provides sustainable success to films in the marketplace,” said Rani Sitaram, producer of Greytown Girl.

“Gravel Road is the leading distribution company on the continent and a beautiful story like Greytown Girl deserves the best team,” she added.

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“Including powerful themes of resilience, fear, courage, sisterhood, sacrifice, self-identity and empowerment and discrimination, Greytown Girl will have broad global appeal, particularly to female audiences,” said Benjamin Cowley, CEO Gravel Road Distribution Group.

“I’m looking forward to taking this premium local production to the world,” he added.

The production boasts a multi-ethnic group of characters and is based in the vibrant South African context, creating a rich tone. Casting is currently underway.

Production is scheduled to commence in July 2022, with theatrical and VOD releases set for 2023. Gravel Road will manage international sales and distribution across Africa.