Peter Bishai is an award-winning film director and screenwriter. His feature film COLORS OF HEAVEN (aka A MILLION COLOURS) tells the epic true-life story of Muntu Ndebele, South Africa’s once most famous teen movie star. In the aftermath of the bloody 1976 Soweto Uprising, he is separated from the love of his life, becomes a fugitive, and struggles for years to survive apartheid and find redemption. Filmed in dozens of locations in Johannesburg and Zululand using 800 extras, spectacular action sequences and gorgeous widescreen cinematography, COLORS OF HEAVEN is a thrilling and emotional experience that has captivated audiences internationally. The Times of Johannesburg called it “a well-executed, historically sweeping example of the ability of personal stories to deal with bigger historical circumstances.” COLORS OF HEAVEN premiered at the Montreal World Film Festival and was the Opening Night Gala film of the Hollywood Black Film Festival. It is the winner of two South African Academy Awards. Peter previously directed the whimsical comedy THE DUELING ACCOUNTANT, the story of a lonely CPA drawn into a world of intrigue when he's challenged to a fencing duel. In a four-star review, leading independent film magazine Film Threat said the film “can’t come more highly recommended... there isn’t a dull moment along the way.” In 2008, it won awards for Best Comedy Film at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and Best First Feature at the Long Island International Film Expo. It is one of 66 films profiled in the book Fervid Filmmaking: 66 Cult Pictures of Vision, Verve and No Self-Restraint, alongside the work of film legends such as Terry Gilliam. His latest film is RAPID EYE MOVEMENT, a Psychological Thriller that was released theatrically nationwide in August 2019. Francois Arnaud stars as a radio DJ driven to the edge of insanity as he tries to break the 11-day world record for staying awake, under the threat of a deranged caller who will kill him if he fails. In his quest to stay awake, he endures a harrowing physical, mental and emotional ordeal while summoning the will to survive against all the odds. RAPID EYE MOVEMENT was given unprecedented access by New York City to shoot the majority of film right in the heart of Times Square. His work as a director is defined by telling visually stylish stories that thrust characters into circumstances bigger and more threatening than they could have imagined, often realizing a deeper meaning for their lives. He lives in New York City.
