From British director Phil Harrison, comes this UK/South Africa co-production, titled The Good Man, which tells two parallel stories that intersect in unexpected ways. 

Michael is a young Irishman whose life is looking up on all fronts. He has a family he loves, good friends and a promising career. Sifiso, meanwhile, is a bright, sharp teenager living in an informal settlement on the outskirts of Cape Town – although he is hoping for a place at university and a brighter future. When their stories collide, their impact on each other’s lives is far greater than either could have imagined. Elegant in its simplicity, The Good Man is a sobering meditation on our globalised reality.

It’s not shared exactly how the two lives/stories collide/intersect, but I suppose you’ll find out when you watch the film. Can’t give everything away, right?

The Good Man is Harrison’s feature film directorial debut. It stars Aidan Gillen and Thabang Sidloyi (making his feature film acting debut), our two leads.

Northern Ireland-based Manifesto Films is producing the low-budget feature, which is set in Belfast and South Africa, shooting in both locations. The project’s financing came from crowdfunding as well as backing from Northern Ireland Screen.

I like the look and feel of the melancholy trailer that follows below, and would certainly check this out if it comes my way. 

It’s schedule to next screen at the 34th Durban International Film Festival, which runs from July 18-28.

Reviews I read of the film have been strong.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from July 18 – 28, 2013. The Festival includes 170 theatrical screenings, a full seminar/workshop programme as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and industry initiatives: the 6th Talent Campus Durban (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 4th Durban FilmMart (the co-production market in partnership with the Durban Film Office), with the Wild Talk Africa Festival taking place in the city from July 23 to 26. 

For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za.

Watch the trailer for The Good Man below:

The Good Man trailer from Manifesto Films on Vimeo.