Hollywood In Africa

South Africa's new role as Hollywood's hottest back lot reflects how perceptions of the country and the continent are changing. That new image is even finding its way onscreen. March saw Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington wrap another action movie in Cape Town, Safe House. The film, originally slated to be set in Brazil and merely shot in South Africa, was rewritten so Cape Town could finally stop serving as a double and, for once, be cast as itself. Denis Lillie, CEO of the Cape Film Commission, says he expects more of that in the future. Like Los Angeles or New York, Cape Town is a naturally cinematic city, he says. "You have Table Mountain, the sea, the city, the townships. And it's a very soulful place. A lot of the stars get off the plane, touch the soil of Africa and discover a real connection." Sounds a lot like movie magic.

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