New Movie “The Lucky Specials,” Delivers a Sensational Musical Journey with a Powerful Message

After the Success of “Inside Story,” Producers Create a New African Sound through a Unique Coming-of-Age Story

From the producers of the widely-acclaimed movie “Inside Story” comes a new feature-length film, THE LUCKY SPECIALS, following a guitarist and his friends on their journey to create a new musical sound and catapult their small-time band to the big stage.

The Lucky Specials are a cover band in a dusty town in southern Africa. Mandla [Oros Mampofu (Skeem Saam)] is a miner by day and plays lead guitar for The Lucky Specials by night. He dreams of making it big in the music industry. When tragedy strikes, the band, Mandla and their friend Nkanyiso (Sivenathi Mabuya) struggle to hold everything together.

Produced by Discovery Learning Alliance and Quizzical Pictures in association with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, with support from Wellcome Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and USAID and PEPFAR through Management Sciences for Health (MSH), “The Lucky Specials” is slated to entertain millions with its dynamic storyline, new brand of African music, and a unique look at tuberculosis..

Mampofu and Mabuya are joined by director Rea Rangaka (Ode in Blood) and a phenomenal cast of nationally known stars, including musician Blondie Makhene as Mandla’s mentor Bra Easy; Richard Lukunku (Thina Sobabili), Thomas Gumede (A Place Called Home) and Fulu Mugovhani (Ayanda) as Mandla’s bandmates; and Linda Sebezo (Gauteng Maboneng) as a businesswoman who threatens to make The Lucky Specials’ dreams fall apart.

“Media, particularly film, has immense power to entertain, to express emotions and to inform individuals in a way that nothing else can,” said Aric Noboa, president of Discovery Learning Alliance and producer of “The Lucky Specials.” “This film has it all: a new genre of music created specifically for the movie, a great story and a powerful message. We are privileged to work with our distinguished partners to bring this story to audiences across southern Africa and around the world.”

FINAL Lucky Specials poster - small

“When I read the script, it connected,” said Rangaka. “I am drawn to films that have powerful messages, especially when they come packaged in a good story. This story, as well as working with a great cast and crew, made ‘The Lucky Specials’ a deeply personal experience for me; I think audiences will understand and identify with what the characters are going through.”

“Rea has succeeded in bringing together the best of fiction and nonfiction storytelling to create a spectacular film,” said Noboa.

“Films like ‘The Lucky Specials’ create an opportunity for great storytelling while giving viewers something that they have not seen before,” said Harriet Gavshon, managing director at Quizzical Pictures. “Innovation was key in bringing aspects of the film to life, combining drama with animation. With this great content, the heartbeat of the film comes through.”

“It’s always a great feeling bringing a character to life on-screen, and my character Mandla encounters a complex set of situations that take him down an unexpected path,” said Mampofu. “Figuring out how he evolves throughout the course of the film was fulfilling for me, and I think will be captivating for viewers as well.”

10
Oros Mampofu stars as Mandla in "The Lucky Specials," Discovery Learning Alliance's latest film.

The world premiere of “The Lucky Specials” took place on February 17 at MonteCasino in Johannesburg, South Africa. The film will air on SABC1 in the coming weeks.

“We are excited at this collaborative effort between SABC 1 ‘Mzansi’s official storyteller’ and the creators of “The Lucky Specials” - a film that tells an authentic Mzansi story that aims to inspire, educate, motivate and entertain our youthful audiences,” said Clara Nzima, SABC 1 Channel Head.

“In line with our new communication message ‘LIFE & TV ARE ONE,’ “The Lucky Specials” draws inspiration from social realism. The movie not only reflects young people’s stories but also gives them tools to navigate life. SABC 1 viewers should look forward to an exclusive viewing of this gripping South African film coming to our screens in the month of May 2017.”

“Not only will this movie entertain millions of people across the African continent, but it will also impart critical lifesaving information. Quite simply, this is a film everyone needs to see!” said U.S. Consul General Christopher Rowan, speaking on behalf of USAID/Southern Africa.

“’The Lucky Specials’ has the potential to help people realize that they can overcome curable diseases like tuberculosis,” said Dr. Erin O’Shea, president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). “This is a story of triumph over adversity, and it poignantly demonstrates the importance of access to medical care and information.”

“I hope this film will play an important role in encouraging discussions and increasing understanding of the reality of living with tuberculosis, by providing a gripping personal story which explores the impact of the disease,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome Trust. “Building on the success of ‘Inside Story,’ this film will not only bring the science to life, but also offer a relevant and engaging drama to a young mass audience.”

“The Lucky Specials lifts the viewer's experience beyond the drama being played out on the screen, providing a profound connection with audiences and helping them make informed decisions about their health,” said Vickie Barrow-Klein, interim president and CEO of MSH.

Discovery Learning Alliance and Quizzical Pictures previously produced the widely-acclaimed film “Inside Story,” broadcast to more than 400 million people across Africa. The film, which was selected for 12 international film festivals, won Special Jury Recognition at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival and was honored with the Zuku Award for Best African Film at the 2012 Zanzibar International Film Festival.

For full updates on “The Lucky Specials,” visit www.luckyspecials.com or find “The Lucky Specials” on Twitter or Facebook (@LuckySpecials).