XYZ Films Boards North American Sales for ‘London Recruits’

July 23, 2023 | 15:09:54

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At the current Durban FilmMart, it was announced that XYZ Films Board would represent the documentary “London Recruits” for sales in North America.

The film, which was directed by Gordon Main, illuminates a crucial period in South Africa’s history. The fight against South Africa’s apartheid government gained a new secret weapon in 1970. Young British activists would be smuggled into the nation by Oliver Tambo under the guise of tourists. Their goal was to encourage common South Africans to join a liberation movement that would not give up until freedom was achieved in the face of the racist regime’s brutal lockdown.

Ronnie Kasrils, the 86-year-old former ANC (African National Congress) freedom fighter at the centre of the narrative, took part in the explosion of a bucket “leaflet bomb” outside the market hotel to symbolise the partnership. On Tambo’s orders, Kasrils recruited amateur secret agents in London, and they used these gadgets in 1970. The devices spread encouraging messages from the outlawed ANC to the majority of South Africans.

Jacintha de Nobrega (“Deep End”), Robyn Slovo (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “McMafia”), and Geoff Arbourne (“Forever Pure,” “African Apocalypse”) are responsible for the movie’s production.

Todd Brown from XYZ Films stated: “XYZ is beyond excited to be collaborating with Gordon and Geoff to bring “London Recruits” to audiences. It’s one of those things that seems too unbelievable to be true, but it’s a true espionage story told with style, insight, and urgency. Simply put, it’s a remarkable story that has been flawlessly told, and we can’t wait for audiences to see it.

XYZ Films board

“XYZ would be at the top of your list if you were looking for the ideal company to represent this film,” Main continued. We could tell that they just “got” the movie in our very first conversations with them. Securing the partnership in Durban, where we shot a large portion of it, is a deserving tribute to the local KwaZulu Natal talent who worked so hard to make our story into a fantastic movie.

“We are thrilled that Todd and the innovative team at XYZ Films share our enthusiasm for this documentary’s creative and business potential,” de Nobrega said. It feels like a logical next step for XYZ to secure this deal at DFM in Durban because he has been committed to working in South Africa for a long time. Together, we eagerly anticipate presenting this extraordinary movie to audiences everywhere, sparking important discussions and making a lasting impression on the film industry.

“XYZ Films’ positioning in the global market is truly impressive, and it will without a doubt take the project to new heights,” said Arbourne.