EFTA00307990.pdf

Publication: Sunday Tribune (Final) Date: Sunday. December 10. 2017 Page: 3 P rri I . — — it ream I pr.. 1 - ie. - ..7. . -- -- : e .•.:. ' R. i , a.....4, ." l In 4...,4 „...t.s..ime r tfil .11 iiizily;iLka i L l A..".±CFinplire r.::rtt-t• lan.laWA. -.7.? 141 t '5 f c I ,V et.titeMilll IJIPii :"-=-C-r-:=',: birutitar .44. ,., ..z_....;;;„„?, ..„*... ts „- -•--r— isfa. - ,e Lights, camera, action command attention Nabeelah Shaikh gets an Mandela movie took 20 years to reach fruition and this taught "It's going to be a space for creative geniuses to enjoy, exclusive look at Durban Film me that patience eventually pays off. "Yes, this film studio took a space where artists can improve their talents and sell their art as well," said Singh. City, about to be rolled out ages to reach realisation but it is finally happening and once Nzuza and Sithole said they were both ecstatic about the it's ready, it is going to be amaz- opportunities that Film City ing for Durban and for South would create for Durban. HE international However, his plans were Africa," said Singh. They said they had seen T architects behind Durban's R7.5 billion film studio touched down this week as plans for the studio become closer to scuppered by Pietermaritzburg businessman Sunny Gayadin, who challenged Singh's pur- chase agreement with a court action. Gayadin died in May. He said two international feature films and a local tele- vision series have already been bagged to be shot at Durban Film City, even before how other film studios have been beneficial to other South African cities. "The Film City will boost morale in Durban. The fact being realised. He had claimed Singh's deal it is built. that it will be housed within a The studio, which is ear- with the city was not legitim- "Construction is expected tourism precinct is also great marked for the old Natal Com- ate and he maintained that he to start early next year and we for the province. mand Site, is the project of was prepared to pay R2.50m for plan to have it functional by "It's going to be wonderful producer Anant Singh. the site. mid 2018. for us because of the invest- eThekwini city manager Gayadin took the matter as "I believe we can work ment opportunities and it will Sipho Nzuza and deputy city far as the Pietermaritzburg on this quite swiftly and it's boost investor confidence," manager for economic develop- High Court, but lost subse- going to result in enormous said Nzuza. ment and tourism, Phillip quent fights in the Supreme job opportunities for the city. Nzuza said the film studio Sithole, the architects, Thanu and Constitutional Courts in The rest of the process will be would produce the best talents Boonyawatana and Eduardo 2012. handled with architects elec- and create job opportunities Robles, and Singh did a walk- The official artist's impres- tronically," said Singh. for young people. He said he about at the site on Wednesday. sionsof what Durban Film City Sudhir Pragjee (Videovision Entertainment), Eduardo Robles (Cnaadve Kingdom), Sipho Nzuza (city manager),Anant Singh (Videovision Entertainment), Singh said his vision for the was proud that in his five The process for Singh to will look like were released Phillip Sithole (deputy city manager) and Thanu Boonyawatana (Creative Kingdom) were at the site on Wednesday. Durban Film City was in line months as city manager, he realise his dream has not been exclusively to the Sunday Trib- with building a creative hub has been able to help conclude an easy one. une on Friday and are being for the province. the process. He first negotiated a deal published for the first time. already shown interest in The architects behind They were responsible for and the Pearls of uMhlanga, "We've had great talent "I am optimistic about all with the city in 2003 to buy The command site will be the development. There is Durban Film City are world famous buildings such as the also owned by Singh. coming out of KZN and I want that this project will bring for the land for R15 million. The turned into a "world-class" potential for a four or renowned duo Robles and Palace of the Lost City, the Singh said the project was a Film City to become a hub that the city. It's a great time to be provincial government gave mixed-use facility and two five-star hotel being built Boonyawatana, both of Palm Islands in Dubai, the "dream come true". will continue to nurture our living in Durban." him the go-ahead at the time. major hotel groups have as part of the project. Creative Kingdom Architects. first Ferrari Hotel in Spain, "It has been a long wait. The talent. nabeelah.shaikh@inLco.za This matenal has been copied under a Dalro licence and is not for resale or retransmission. EFTA00307990