In this special Arts and Entertainment feature, we sit down with the creative minds behind The Heart is a Muscle — South Africa’s official entry to the Oscars 2026. The crime thriller, written and directed by the award-winning Imran Hamdulay, stars the talented Keenan Arrison in the lead role.

In Part 1 of this two-part Zoom chat, we dive into the creative journey behind the film, explore the collaboration between Hamdulay and Arrison, and discover how a shared love for Manchester United unexpectedly influenced the casting process.

In Part 2, the conversation turns to the deeper themes of the film and the intricate process of campaigning for an Academy Award nomination.