Laundry (film)
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- Zamo Mkhwanazi
- Philippe Coeytaux
- Zamo Mkhwanazi
- Jim Stark
| Laundry | |
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 Official poster | |
| Zulu | Uhlanjululo |
| Directed by | Zamo Mkhwanazi |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Gabriel Lobos |
| Edited by | Christine Hoffet |
| Music by | Tracy September |
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Release date |
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Running time | 106 minutes |
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Laundry (Zulu: Uhlanjululo) is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi in her debut feature. The film depicts a young man's aspirations as a musician in apartheid South Africa, clashing with preserving his family's laundry business amid intensifying racial discrimination against Black entrepreneurs.[1]
The international co-production between Switzerland, and South Africa, had its world premiere on 5 September 2025 in the Discovery section at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.[2] It was also selected at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it closed the festival on February 12, 2026.[3]
Set in Johannesburg in 1968, the story follows Khuthala, a young man reluctant to inherit his father’s laundry business. As apartheid-era restrictions intensify and Black-owned enterprises come under threat, he finds himself caught between his aspiration to become a musician and the need to protect the family’s only source of income and stability.
Cast
- Tracy September as Lilian
- Ntobeko Sishi as Khuthala
- Zekhethelo Zondi as Ntombenhle
- Siyabonga Shibe as Enoch
- Bukamina Cebekhulu as Magda
Production
In October 2024, the film was selected for the Atlas Workshops at the Marrakech International Film Festival.[4] Jeff Nichols, American film director and screenwriter mentored the directors at Atlas Workshops + Project Line-Up.[5]
Release
Laundry had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2025 in Discovery section.[6][7] On 22 November 2025, it competed at the Marrakech International Film Festival in the official competition.[8]
The film was also selected for the Audience Award Competition at the 61st edition of the Solothurn Film Festival and was screened on 22 January 2026.[9] It was also selected as closing film of 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival to be screened on 14 February 2026.