STUDIOCANAL Unveils Plans to Film ‘The Road Home’ in Cape Town
Cape Town – STUDIOCANAL, the in-house studio of CANAL+ (www.STUDIOCANAL.com), in collaboration with Flora Films, is excited to announce the production of the feature film The Road Home.
This film presents a distinctly South African narrative to an international audience and is set against the backdrop of Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland. Principal photography is set to begin in Cape Town this June.
After being exiled from his native South Africa, trumpeter Hugh Masekela (Rametsi) finds himself caught between two realms when the Anti-Apartheid Movement, spearheaded by his mentor Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (Pearce), initiates a boycott against Paul Simon. They accuse Simon of breaching the United Nation’s Cultural Boycott with his innovative, township music-inspired album, Graceland.
Breaking away from his mentor, Masekela – who views their music as a formidable tool in the fight against injustice – teams up with Simon and Masekela’s lifelong collaborator, the iconic South African vocalist Miriam ‘Mama Africa’ Makeba (Erivo), to form the Graceland band. This super group aims to amplify South Africa’s voice to a global audience, culminating in a powerful, celebratory tribute to resilience and the indomitable human spirit.
The screenplay has been crafted through meticulous research to ensure an authentic portrayal, especially leveraging the resources and knowledge of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, with valuable contributions from renowned South African novelist Zakes Mda.
In addition to the invaluable insights shared with Bronner during the scriptwriting process by various members of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, Bronner conducted extensive research, including detailed interviews with Paul Simon.
The production of The Road Home will involve over 300 South African crew members, with only a few specialized positions filled internationally, alongside 68 local cast members, which includes esteemed South African actor Thabo Rametsi, an estimated 3,500 extras, and widely recognized local musicians.
CANAL+, through its film and television production and distribution arm STUDIOCANAL, is significantly backing The Road Home, demonstrating its commitment to top-tier international storytelling in South Africa.
The film will be shot on location in Cape Town, further affirming the country’s reputation as a premier film production hub.
Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL and Chief Content Officer of CANAL+, remarked: “South Africa continues to be one of the finest locations globally for producing captivating, high-quality content.
“I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to share a distinctively South African story with a worldwide audience and film it in Cape Town alongside prominent local and international stars.
“The production is made possible due to the remarkable talent – both in front of and behind the camera – that flourishes within South Africa’s creative landscape.
“This film illustrates CANAL+’s ongoing dedication to supporting exceptional local content and bringing powerful African narratives to the screen with authenticity and ambition.”
Nomsa Philiso, Director, Content, General Entertainment, English and Portuguese-speaking Africa, added: “MultiChoice Group has consistently fostered a strong and successful local content platform grounded in African storytelling.
“Our collaboration with CANAL+ builds upon this foundation, enhancing our scale and reach to produce ambitious films like The Road Home.
“Through STUDIOCANAL, we are further improving our capacity to invest in premium content and introduce high-caliber African stories to global audiences, showcasing the continent’s finest on the world stage.”
