SA's animated film 'David' set to dazzle global audiences with biblical storytelling

Following South African sporting and music successes on the global stage, the team behind “David” are hoping that the new biblical animated musical will be one of Mzansi’s biggest breakout films internationally to date.

Produced in Cape Town, the production features the character of David from the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament.

The movie is also a follow-up to the five-part television miniseries “Young David”, which tells the story of a young shepherd, poet and warrior who is predestined to become the new King of Israel..

“David’s” voice cast includes Grammy nominee Phil Wickham as young David, with Brandon Engman and Young Artist Award winner Sloan Lucas Muldown reprising their roles from “Young David”.

The cast also features two-time Grammy winner Lauren Daigle, award-winning Israeli singer Miri Mesika and two-time BAFTA nominee Asim Chaudhry, all singing a score composed by Joseph Trapanese.

“South Africa has so much to offer, and it’s evident in our sport how we can compete and actually dominate on the world stage,” writer and co-director Brent Dawes said in an interview with “Independent Media Lifestyle"

“It means so much to have been part of a project that will more than be able to stand alongside the biggest Hollywood projects and feel like it not only belongs, but it raises the bar.”

Meanwhile, co-director Phil Cunningham added: “This is such an inspiring and epic story, so we wanted to tell  it in a way with as much global reach as possible, and animation has the incredible power to cross race, cultural, age and gender barriers better than any other medium.” 

“In Africa alone our average age is 19 years old and we also wanted to tell it in a way that could connect and inspire the next generation."

Meanwhile, as “David” blends faith, courage and music, it was important for the film-makers to strike a balance between storytelling, biblical inspiration and entertainment.

Cunningham explained the process to achieve this: "Walking through Paris with my wife Jacqui we stood under the Arc de Triomphe and marvelled at the scale and attention to detail.”

“Through the rest of Paris were many office blocks and factory buildings, and as film-makers, we could just churn out products or strive to make an Arc de Triomphe. This inspired us to be authentic to the history of this character and time period whilst still telling an entertaining and inspiring story. It is a challenge to blend all these goals, but that is what we strived to “finding a trackable path for the story from shepherd to king within 100 minutes.” 

“There is so much in the bible it was impossible to put it all in. Not only that, a lot of it isn’t really appropriate for a family movie.”

He added: “It was a challenge ensuring we kept the integrity and essence of the bible story while keeping it palatable for a modern family audience. But at its core, it's a story about faith vs fear, and that is a story that everyone can relate to, so we leant into that."

And with over 400 local and international crew members, there were many talents behind the movie.

"We had so many special moments as a team, but our favourite was whenever one of our international team members was able to visit the studio and work in-house with the team in Cape Town,” producer Jacqui Cunningham explained.

“Since Covid, a lot of the team do work online, but our favourite days are when the studio is full and buzzing with the team.”

She added, “I feel that the stories we tell are a collection of all the stories the team brings in their everyday lives, and these are woven into the tapestry that forms the fabric for the work we do." 

Jacqui also believes that viewers from all walks of life will be able to resonate with the movie.

"While David is a kids' animation, making it and telling this story has inspired me as an adult.  As you watch this with your families, it is a movie for all ages. We all face Goliaths in different forms, we all spend time lost in the desert, but this story will inspire you to be who God made you to be and to live life to the full.”

“My favourite theme in the movie is the strong bond between David and his mother, and this was inspired by Phil’s relationship with his mum, who inspired him to take on Goliaths, lions and bears at a young age." 

• "David" will be showing at cinemas nationwide from December 19.