SOUTH AFRICAN FILMS SET TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM OF FESPACO IN BURKINA FASO.
27 February 2019. The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) is currently underway in Burkina Faso with seven South African films nominated for FESPACO Awards.
Led by the Department of Arts and Culture, the South African delegation comprises officials from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFC) and an esteemed selection of South African filmmakers and Actors.
‘Five Fingers for Marseilles’ by Michael Matthews and ‘Sew the Winter to My Skin’, by Jahmil XT Qubeka are amongst the top films up for the coveted Yennenga Gold Standard Award. Both films have also been nominated at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), taking place this coming Saturday (02 March 2019) in Sun City, North West.
Films that will be on rotation at the festival include:
- Film Title: Five Fingers for Marseilles
- By: Michael Matthews
- Category: FICTION FEATURE FILM
SA’s first Western ‘Five Fingers for Marseilles tells the story of a group of young men (the ‘Five Fingers’) who stand up to brutal police oppression in Marseilles, a town in the rugged badlands of the Eastern Cape.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46tUAfrzgGw
- Film Title: Sew the Winter to My Skin
- By: Qubeka X.T Jahmil
- Category: FICTION FEATURE FILM
A riveting ride into the heart of 1950s rural South Africa where a liberal journalist grapples with the fantastical account of the capture of a black rebel hero; a threat to the colonial farming community and a champion to the disenchanted.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPWan65Hpi4
- Film Title: By All Means Necessary
- By: Suleman Ramadan
- Category: LONG DOCUMENTARY
By All Means Necessary is a feature documentary that chronicles 50 years of Africa’s Liberation Movements from Algeria to South Africa. It commemorates the various sacrifices made by men and women across the continent.
Trailer not available
- Film Title: Whispering Truth to Power
- By: Shameela Seedat
- Category: LONG DOCUMENTARY
This film charts the final year in office for South Africa’s Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, as she attempts to bring justice to ordinary people. After successfully challenging President Zuma for illegal use of state funds, she now has to face the biggest challenge of her career: investigating – in the face of protests, death threats and legal challenges – the alleged systematic takeover of government by a private family in cahoots with the President.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y5TEGKa_u4
- Film Title: Diphiri Le Makunutu
- By: Nthato Mokgata
- Category: FICTION COURT
A prodigal son returns home with a secret that he is a secret agent who has a mission to uncover a major crime lord who is in his home town.
Trailer not available
- Film Title: Miracle
- By: Bongi Ndaba
- Category: FICTION COURT
It is a story that explores a week in the life of a struggling single mother, Sisonke, who goes on a quest of absolution. She travels from church to church seeking a miracle for her daughter who has a mysterious disability.
Trailer not available
- Film Title: BURKINABE
- By: Nthato Mokgata
- Category: OFFICIAL PANORAMA
The film recounts the story of a young woman visiting Burkina Faso for the first time after having left as a child. Recently diagnosed with cancer the journey home is an attempt to encounter her true self. The version of herself that could have been had she not left.
Trailer not available
- Film Title: Belly Flop
- By: Jeremy Collins
- Category: ANIMATION FILM
Belly Flop tells the story of Penny, a fearless young girl learning to dive, undisturbed by a talented diver who keeps stealing the spotlight.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls5J7caQj7A
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