The Star Film Company and Indigenous Film Distribution are proud to announce that Imran Hamdulay’s directorial debut feature, “The Heart is a Muscle”, will have its world premiere at the 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival, running from 13-23 February 2025, where it will screen in the Panorama section which makes the film eligible for an Audience Award.
“The Heart is a Muscle” was penned by Hamdulay and explores the bonds between fathers and sons with a complex, insightful and gentle voice. The film was shot on location in the Cape Flats and stars Keenan Arrison (“The Umbrella Men” (2024), “The Crown” (2017)) in a career defining performance as Ryan, a young father whose five-year-old son goes missing from a family barbeque. His violent reaction to this scare sets off a chain of events and unearths secrets from a collective past. A journey of self-discovery and forgiveness begins.
Arrison first wowed audiences with his performance in award-winning director Oliver Hermanus’ debut feature, “Shirley Adams” (2009). With Hamdulay in the director’s seat and Arrison dominating on-screen, the film promises to deliver a unique new voice for both African and international cinema audiences.
“The Heart is a Muscle” is a character driven piece centered around the role of fathers in our lives,” says Hamdulay. “While writing the film, I found myself asking questions that were difficult to answer in a single sentence. Ultimately, I felt compelled to explore what it is to be a father, a husband, and a man through a lens which illuminates a better understanding of generational healing and forgiveness. As someone who came through Berlinale Talents, it’s such an honour and feels like a sort of homecoming, to have my debut feature’s world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.”
“The Heart is a Muscle” is executive produced by Adam Thal (“Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story” (2021)) of The Star Film Company, Khosie Dali (“Sons of the Sea” (2021)), Indigenous Film Distribution and Brett Michael Innes (Writer/Director and Co-Producer of “Sink” (2015) and “Fiela se Kind” (2019)) of Nostalgia Films.
“I was immediately drawn to the film when Imran first pitched the concept to me,” says Adam Thal, “His unique vision and passion for the story, combined with the fact that it was his first feature film, made it a compelling project aligned with my commitment to collaborating with talented young directors and providing them with the support required to enable them to share their creative visions with audiences around the world.”
The Star Film Company executive produced “The Fragile King” (2022). The film won several awards around the world including Best Film, Best Director, Best Writer, Best Actress and Supporting Actress at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2024. Adam is also the driving force behind “The Last Ranger” (2024), a shortlisted Academy®️ Awards contender for Best Live Action Short Film (2025).
“The Heart is a Muscle” also features Melissa de Vries (“Mince jou hare” (2024), “Arendsvlei”), Dean Marais (“Arendsvlei”, “Kings and Prophets” (2016) “Arendsvlei”), Ridaa Adams (“White Lies” (2024), “The Woman King” (2022)) and Danny Ross (“Barakat” (2020), “24 Hours to Live” (2027)).
Additional support for the film was secured through the National Film & Video Foundation of South Africa and The Red Sea Fund (Saudi Arabia).
Set to release theatrically this year, “The Heart is a Muscle” is being distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution who collaborated previously with Hamdulay on “Sons of the Sea” (2021) and “The Wait” (2023).
Screening Dates for “The Heart is a Muscle” in Berlin will made public on 4 February 2025.
