Anant Singh continues his film truimphs as he launches his latest work

His new film is making waves ahead of the Cannes Film Festival already, only a sign that it will become as popular as time goes on, leading to its theatrical release.

More Than Just A Game, the film about the inspirational story of organized football played among prisoners on Robben Island had a screening at House Of Lords in London last week (12 May 2009), hosted by Baroness Jan Royall, the Leader of the House and Chief Whip Lord Bassett, with producer Anant Singh and co-producer Lord Ted Rowlands in attendance. Lord Rowlands who is a Member of the House, facilitated the screening. Also present was Prof Chuck Korr, author of the book, More Than Just A Game: Soccer vs Apartheid. The screening ended with a thunderous spontaneous applause from the assembled audience. More Than Just A Game stars Presley Chweneyagae (Tsotsi), Wright Ngubeni (Generations, Rythm City), Tshepo Maseko (Isidingo) and is directed by Junaid Ahmed.

The event is significant as Jan Royall is a senior member of the Labour Party which strongly supported the struggle against apartheid and the sports boycott against South Africa. The screening of the film was also a tribute to the anti-apartheid movement and the many activists who made huge personal sacrifices in their fight against apartheid, especially those who were incarcerated on Robben Island. In his address to the audience, Lord Rowlands paid special tribute and thanked Tony Suze, Mark Shinners, Lizo Sitoto, Marcus Solomon and Sedick Isaacs – the five men on whose real life story More Than Just A Game is based – who also sent notes which Lord Rowlands read to the audience.

Among the high profile guests in attendance were anti-apartheid activist, Lord Bob Hughes; sport and human rights activist, Lord Richard Faulkner who was charged with revitalizing football in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s; Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights member and UNICEF Trustee, Baroness Whitaker and North Wales member of the House, Betty Williams; BBC Film’s Carol Sennett who announced that the film will be broadcast on BBC’s main television channel as a lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Danny Goldman of Sony Pictures Entertainment which is the worldwide distributor of the film. Also in attendance were a host of people that were involved in the anti-apartheid movement and football in the United Kingdom.

Producer Anant Singh commented,

“I am delighted with the fantastic reaction to the film at the House Of Lords, especially that the audience was moved and impressed by our little film about football on Robben Island. It was truly an amazing experience have More Than Just A Game screen in the House of Lords. I am especially pleased that a number of those in attendance were involved in the anti-apartheid movement and football, and made a special effort to be there.”

Singh now heads off to the Cannes Film Festival where the film will be marketed and screened to international buyers. The film will be rolled out internationally in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

In the picture: Co-producer, Lord Ted Rowlands and Producer, Anant Singh at the House of Lords, London.

Obsessed has qualities of a great thriller

Finally, I got to see the highly anticipated movie, Obsessed, where Beyonce doesn't sing and attempts to show a different side to her acting career. Although I'm not fully convinced of her as a good actor yet, she did somewhat hold her own on this thriller that she actually executive-produced.

Some of the things that had created the hype was the fight scene between Beyonce's character and that of Ali Larter's. It was worth every high-praise it received as it was the hottest I've ever seen between two hot women in a movie, probably and arguably the hottest part of the movie. British actor Idris Elba (who is very popular with the ladies - each and every woman I have had a discussion with about this movie says they'll see it just for him, lol) was also one of the main attractions for me to see this movie as he has been consistent with each and every project he's done, and I wanted to see how he would fair in this one. Maybe the fact that he gushed all over Beyonce on every interview he did whilst promoting the movie also planted a seed of interest, resulting in me wanting to see their chemistry on screen. It was therefore easy to believe in that aspect of their roles because everything seemed to flow smoothly.

Obsessed has all the trimmings of a great thriller, from the juicy and pacy storyline, to the sterling performances from the likes of Idris Elba (who made his name big with his stint of the crime drama series The Wire) and Ali Larter (mostly known for her role on the supernatural series Heroes), as well as the supporting cast. As I've mentioned before, Beyonce was good on Obsessed, much better than we've seen her before, but still lacks the flair that comes with the art of acting.

Obsessed will be released at Ster Kinekor cinemas nationwide on the 19th of June 2009. Be sure to check it out. It's entertaining, funny, and also informative on a lot of universal issues.