Movie, "More than Just a Game" on Robben Island Soccer Team in the 1960s to
80s
5 September 2007
The Minister of Arts and Culture, P Jordan has announced that the National
Film and Video Foundation(NFVF) has contributed R750 000 funding towards the
making of the movie, "More than Just a Game."
The movie, about a soccer team in Robben Island in the 1960s to 1980s,is
produced by renowned South African film-maker, Anant Singh.
"I am aware that the total budget for the film was in the region of
R15-million. We respect the decision of the NFVF to make a small contribution
that shows support for the efforts of some of our outstanding talent in the
film sector. Of course, the relationship between the Department of Arts and
Culture and the NFVF is set out in the relevant legislation and is described as
"an arms length" relationship, which implies that once the NFVF was set up, it
acquired its own board, a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and its own
personnel."
"It would be wholly improper for the Minister, or any other government
official, to question into the reasoning of the NFVF, its board, its selection
committees or its panels of judges."
"That would be the slippery slope towards becoming prescriptive,
proscriptive and a reversion to the authoritarianism of the past. South Africa
has had quite enough of that!," said Minister Jordan.
The NFVF is one of the 28 independent and autonomous statutory bodies that
report to the Department.
"I am absolutely confident, based on previous performance, that the criteria
the NFVF employed in reaching a decision regarding the funding of this film are
sound and will bear scrutiny by anyone," said Minister Jordan.
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
5 September 2007
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)
