Leading South African production house Videovision Entertainment hasacquired film rights to Karoo Boy, a 1970s set novel written by TroyBlacklaws.

The story of a young man's search for identity after the accidentaldeath of his twin brother is also a means of explaining the conflicts of theera and sexual awakenness in a repressed society.

The rights were acquired after a bidding battle with other producers.London-based Julian Friedmann represented the book on behalf of Blacklaws andthe deal was negotiated for Videovision at the Sithenghi film market by HelenSpring.

Videovision principal Anant Singh announced that rising local talent,Sunu Gonera has been hired to direct.

"Karoo Boy is definitely hotproperty and we are thrilled to have acquired the movie rights to it," saidSingh. "We immediately knew that it would make a compelling film and set out toacquire the rights. Karoo Boy is a story of grief and lossand about a special relationship between two individuals from vastly differentbackgrounds. It is a delicate, yetabsorbing story and will translate well into film."

Book deals for Karoo Boy werealso concluded at the recent Frankfurt Book Fair. It was sold to Harcourt in the US, Duckworth in the UK Flammarionin France and to Ambo Anthos in Holland.

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