IFC Films acquired Moffie, South African Oliver Hermanus’ ravishing queer war film set against the backdrop of the Apartheid-era South African Border War. IFC Films will release the critically acclaimed film in April 2021.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus and adapted from André Carl van der Merwe’s autobiographical 2006 novel by Hermanus and Portobello’s Jack Sidey, Moffie premiered in the Orizzonti section of the 76th Venice International Film Festival, where Hermanus’ previous feature The Endless River was the first South African film to be nominated for the Golden Lion. Moffie stars Kai Luke Brummer, Ryan de Villiers, Matthew Vey, Stefan Vermaak, and Hilton Pelser.

Set in 1981 South Africa, the film centers on closeted 16-year-old Nicholas Van der Swart (Kai Luke Brummer) as he begins the two years of compulsory military service required of all young white South African men, preparing to defend the Apartheid regime on the Angolan war front. The threat of communism and “die swart gevaar” (the so-called black danger) is at an all-time high. But that’s not the only danger Nicholas faces. He must survive the brutality of the army – something that becomes even more difficult when a connection is sparked between him and a fellow recruit.

Director Oliver Hermanus added, “It’s a fantastic privilege to have our film find such a wonderful American partner in IFC Films. They house the work of many of the filmmakers I greatly admire, and I am thrilled that they have taken up an interest to share Moffie with an American audience.”