The ground-breaking isiZulu feature film, Yesterday, which received South Africa’s first Oscar Nomination, has now received South Africa’s first–ever Emmy Nomination in the “Outstanding Made For Television Movie” category, it was announced in Los Angeles this afternoon. The other nominees in this category were, Flight 93, The Flight That Fought Back, The Girl In The Café and Mrs. Harris. The coveted Emmy Awards celebrate excellence in national prime time television programming in the United States. The Emmy Nomination for Yesterday is a result of the broadcast of the film in the United States on World AIDS Day last year.
The Emmy Awards is run under the auspices of three sister organisations: the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Emmy Awards recognise excellence within various areas of the television industry and are a symbol of peer recognition from the membership of these Academies.
“ “I am thrilled. Yesterday refuses to capitulate, very much like the character in the film.” ”
Director Darrell James Roodt commented, “I am thrilled. Yesterday refuses to capitulate, very much like the character in the film. This Emmy Nomination gives the South African Film Industry further recognition and much hope, especially for our young, emerging talent who should be encouraged to follow their dreams and keep making movies.”
Producer Anant Singh said, “The “Outstanding Made For Television Movie” category is one of the most significant categories of the Emmy Awards, and is the equivalent of the Best Picture Academy Award. Nominees compete with films from around the world and it is very satisfying that a film in an indigenous South African language, isiZulu competes with the best films in the world, mainly in English and be nominated. The nomination is a tribute to director, Darrell James Roodt, Leleti Khumalo and the immense creative and technical talents that came together to make the film.”
The Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday August 27, 2006 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live in South Africa on Movie Magic on Monday morning, 28 August. Conan O’Brien, the critically acclaimed host of NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien will host the ceremony.
Yesterday is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, M–Net, The National Film And Video Foundation, Distant Horizon and was shot on location in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The music was composed by Madala Kunene and it is executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh, produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring and written and directed by Darrell James Roodt.