U.K.-French sales-production outfit Alief has boarded world sales rights to “Low Rider,” the sophomore narrative feature from “Stud Life” director Campbell X. The news comes ahead of the film’s world premiere in competition at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where it will vie for the £50,000 ($67,000) Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence.
Starring Emma McDonald (“Moonhaven” “The Serpent Queen”) and Thishiwe Ziqubu (“Hard to Get”), the film follows Quinn, a British woman who impulsively travels to South Africa in search of her estranged father. Along the way, she teams up with the charismatic Harley (Ziqubu), and the two venture into the rugged Western Cape, navigating the terrain and emotional minefields alike.
“‘Low Rider’ is a fun ride. A tale of self-discovery, resilience and the unexpected roads that lead us home,” said Alief president Brett Walker. “Anchored by the seductive performance of charismatic lead Emma McDonald, we are delighted to be representing the film and to be working with a truly great team of filmmakers.”
Miguel Govea, a partner at Alief, added: “‘Low Rider’ is the one to meet at Edinburgh.”
Written by Stephen Strachan and directed by Campbell X, the film marks a return to long-form narrative for the London-based filmmaker, whose debut “Stud Life” struck a chord for British queer cinema. Produced by Rebecca Long (“The Falling”) and Stella Nwimo (“Nuclear,” “Gangs of London”) for Boudica Entertainment, the film was backed by the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Head Gear Films and LipSync. The late Norman Merry and Peter Hampden, Kristin Irving, Phil Hunt and Compton Ross serve as executive producers.
“Playing Quinn was the wildest ride,” said lead actress McDonald. “I read the script for the first time and within a week I was on a plane to South Africa ready to start shooting. We shot the whole thing in three thrilling weeks in a hazy but beautiful blur.”
McDonald added: “The cast and crew were some of the most generous, open-hearted and talented people I’ve ever been fortunate enough to work with, and the locations were breathtaking. It forged in me a real love of storytelling and filmmaking and I hope the film finds its tribe.”
Shot on location across Cape Town and the Western Cape, the production embraces a rugged, sun-drenched aesthetic. “In ‘Low Rider,’ my aim was to take the audience on a bumpy ride around the Western Cape… without a seatbelt,” said the filmmaker.
“It’s a film that has elements of danger and desire, and it pushes the road movie genre by centering two Black protagonists – something we still rarely see.”
Quinn’s story takes in the adventure of nightlife, rural mysticism and fraught personal histories.
Boudica’s Long and Nwimo describe the project in the press pack as mirroring its protagonist’s path: “At times tumultuous, adventurous, joyful and surprising, our film explores universal themes of identity, belonging, self-empowerment, and personal growth.”
Low Rider is part of an International Competition lineup at EIFF that features 10 world premieres, each vying for the audience-voted Connery Prize.
Low Rider
Courtesy of Alief
