Riaad Moosa's Material gets release date

Cape Town - United International Pictures have announced that upcoming South African comedy Material, in which local comedian Riaad Moosa makes his big screen debut, will be released nationally on February 17, 2012.

Riaad plays the lead character in the film, a young Muslim man named Cassim Kaif who works in his father’s fabric shop in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. In the family tradition Cassim, as the only son, is expected to take over the family business from his father.

Cassim is a respectful son and has not considered any alternatives. Until one night, through a series of coincidences, he lands up doing an open mike session at a local comedy club. He discovers a hidden talent for comedy - a passion is sparked within him like nothing previously in his life.

Joey Rasdien

He is encouraged to carry on with the comedy a path that brings him into conflict, not only with his father Ebrahim (played by The Kumars at No 42 patriarch Vincent Ebrahim) but other family members and some elements of his community.

The movie also stars Joey Rasdien as Cassim's best friend, Denise Newman as his mother Fatima, comedian Nic Rabinowitz and Krijay Govender.

Award-winning SA jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim recorded a song especially for the film after he saw the rough cut in Amsterdam earlier this year.

"This is a huge honour and a big endorsement," said Material producer Ronnie Apteker.

The first promotional poster for the movie has also been released, with the tagline: "Life is not a funny business".


The filmmakers have also given movie fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Material. The sneak peeks can be seen here and here.

Watch the laugh-out-loud Material trailer below: