The monthly Ster-Kinekor Movie Buffs event takes place on 29 August at Cavendish Square in Cape Town. You get to watch the film before anyone else, and engage in a discussion of the film. There is also a lucky draw during the evening and the chance to win some great prizes.

The August Movie Buffs title is the sci-fi action thriller, Elysium (national release date: Friday, 30 August).

The pre-release screening takes place at Ster-Kinekor Cavendish on Thursday, 29 August from 19h30.

The monthly ‘Movie Buffs’ event is hosted by 2oceansvibe’s resident film critic, Steven Spling’ Aspeling. He will introduce the film beforehand and, following the screening, will lead an interactive discussion on the film’s performance.

Elysium has strong ties to South Africa, with both the film’s director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and one of the lead actors, Sharlto Copley (who starred in District 9), hailing from this country.

Starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, Elysium follows the story of an elite space outpost locked in battle with poor invaders from a ruined Earth. It is the year 2159 and two classes of people exist: the ultra wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who inhabit an overpopulated and diseased Earth.

Defence secretary Delacourt (Foster), a hard line government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws in order to preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium from the masses on Earth. However, this does not stop the people of Earth from continuing to try and make their way up to this ‘promised land’.

When unlucky Max (Damon), a blue-collar worker with a criminal past, is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that, if successful, will not only save his life, but could also bring equality to the two polarised worlds.

In an interview about the film, director Blomkamp stated: “Everyone who doesn’t have that wealth wants it and will try to get it, and the First World will probably try to hang onto it, and it will get dire. What do you, as the audience member, think should be done?” He poses an interesting question – it will be interesting to hear the responses from South African audiences.

So, if you are keen to catch this special pre-release screening, and enjoy an evening at the movies with Spling and fellow Cape Town ‘Movie Buffs’, bookings are now open for Elysium at Ster-Kinekor Cavendish on Thursday, 29 August, from 19h30. The film starts promptly at 20h00. Standard ticket prices apply and it is advisable to book early, as seating is limited. The running time of the film is 1hr 55min and it carries a 16LV classification.9

To book your seats for the special pre-screening at Cavendish, visit the Ster-Kinekor website at: www.sterkinekor.com or call Ticketline on 082 16789.

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