Norman Cloete
“PEOPLE who make movies for awards and numbers, never win. The people who make movies because they genuinely have a story to tell, they are the ones who win.”
This is how media personality, Anele Mdoda, summed up her team’s Oscar nomination. In a remarkable achievement for South African cinema, The Last Ranger, a short film co-produced by Mdoda under her production company Rose & Oaks Media, has received a nomination for Best Live-Action Short Film at this year’s Academy Awards. This prestigious nod not only highlights the film’s artistic merit but also emphasises the growing influence of South African storytellers on the global stage.
Mdoda, a prominent media personality and the host of 947's Anele and the Club, expressed her exhilaration on social media, stating: “South Africa!!!! We have been nominated for an Oscar!!!!!!!!!!! The Last Ranger is going to win it and bring it home.” She went on to commend the film's director, Cindy Lee, and writer, David Lee, for their exceptional work, as well as the standout performances by Avumile Qongqo and Liyabona Mroqoza.
“Cindy Lee is finally getting the flowers she deserves. She directed the hell out of this short film, David wrote the hell out of this film, Liyabona and Avumile acted the hell out of this film. This really was a tremendous team effort. We are so excited. All the people who put it together,” she said.
This nomination is a significant milestone for Mdoda and her co-producer, Frankie Du Toit, as they continue to pave the way for diverse narratives in the film industry. The film, which tells a compelling story that resonates deeply with audiences, showcases the rich tapestry of South African culture and talent.
It was taken to many film festivals across the world and that’s where it finally got the nod for the Oscar nomination.
“If you win at Cannes, you get an entry to the Oscars. There are 32 films on the long list, 15 were shortlisted and five were nominated. Now we just need to sort out the passports,” said a visibly excited Mdoda.
While Mdoda is no stranger to winning accolades, an Oscar nomination is right up there.
“ I remember the daily 4am meetings with the team in Los Angeles and the UK. It was really the only time we could all be in the same meeting. And awake. This film really is a piece of cinematic brilliance,” a visibly beaming Mdoda added.
There’s been a flurry of activity around Mdoda and her team since news of the nomination broke and now the real race is on.
“For something like this to happen, you need the trifecta, a perfect director, a perfect script and perfect actors. This film has it all. From Benoni to Brakpan to Boksburg. This is definitely my highest achievement in production and directing,” she said.
And just exactly how does one get here?
“I don’t waste time on failures. If a project doesn’t succeed, I move on to the next one,” said Mdoda.
She added that the significance of the Oscar nomination will allow African film-makers to think outside the reach of Africa.
“This is the first Xhosa movie to get an Oscar nomination. It’s about conservation, conservation of our languages. It’s already a double-whammy win. For me it’s also about mentorship and how young girls can become rangers. The film tells us that there’s hope for our children. But more than anything, this was a tremendous team effort. It was not Anele that was nominated, it was the film and that’s because of the amazing team we have ,” she said.
Jonathan Procter, Group CEO at Primedia, congratulated Anele and the entireThe Last Ranger team on this outstanding achievement:
“We are immensely proud of Anele and her collaborators for their exceptional work on The Last Ranger. This Oscar nomination reflects their creativity, dedication, and passion for storytelling, which aligns perfectly with our mission at Primedia Studios to elevate South African narratives. It not only highlights the talent within our industry but also encourages future generations of film-makers to share their unique voices and experiences. We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone and the positive impact it will have on our industry,” Procter said.
As the excitement builds leading up to the Academy Awards, the nomination of The Last Ranger
serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for film-makers across South Africa. It reflects the potential for local stories to resonate on a global scale and emphasises the importance of diversity in storytelling.
With the eyes of the world now on The Last Ranger, the anticipation for the Oscars is palpable. The film community and audiences alike are rallying behind Mdoda and her team, eager to see if this talented group will bring home the coveted Oscar.
Mdoda and her team are now planning screenings of the film all over SA.