South Africa Submits "The Heart Is A Muscle" for the International Feature Oscar

The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa has selected Imran Hamdulay’s debut feature "The Heart is a Muscle" as the country’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

Exploring the bonds between fathers and sons through the lens of inter-generational healing and forgiveness, "The Heart is a Muscle" draws on experiences specific to South Africa’s Cape Flats neighborhood which also speak to the universal search for reconciliation and belonging.

The story centers on a man struggling to confront inherited memories and, through the slow work of forgiveness, learning how to become the father and husband he longs to be.

"The Heart is a Muscle" premiered in the Panorama section of Berlin this year, winning the Ecumenical Jury Prize.

The movie continues to see global festival play, including Sydney and the upcoming Cairo International Film Festival, among others.

Hamdulay said: “The film is very close to my heart. It’s a shared story born from the voices and experiences of the community around it, and we’re just so thrilled to have it as South Africa’s entry at the Academy Awards this year.”

South Africa’s history in the International Feature category includes Gavin Hood’s Oscar-winning "Tsotsi" (2005) and Darrel Roodt’s nominated "Yesterday" (2004). "Both The Wound" (2017) and "Life, Above All" (2010) made the shortlist.

Written and directed by Hamdulay, the drama is produced by The Star Film Company’s Adam Thal (The Last Ranger), Khosie Dali (Sons of the Sea), Brett Michael Innes (Sink) and Lucifer’s Lesley-Ann Brandt. Key backing for "The Heart is a Muscle" came from the NFVF, the Red Sea Fund and South Africa’s Indigenous Film Distribution. MMM Film Sales handles international rights.