Bringing Brics filmmakers out of the woodwork
JOBURG – RapidLion 2017 promises a fusion of films from South African, Brics, African and other international film-makers.
From 5 to 12 March, Johannesburg will pulsate with the power of Africa’s visual storytellers when RapidLion 2017 brings 140 films from 40 countries to the city.
RapidLion, also known as The South African International Film Festival, celebrates African filmmaking with a special emphasis on South African cinema.
The programme was launched with the aim of showing the most films by filmmakers who were born in Africa or members of the African Diaspora, as well as the talents of the filmmakers within the Brics nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
Taking place at the Market Theatre, the festival features a number of diverse films, question and answer sessions and niche sections. These include Kindercinema aimed at the youngest film-goers and their parents; The Heritage Platform, which features South African films of yesteryear; and Homage, comprising the work of the recipient of The Lionel Ngakane Lifetime Achievement Award.
Aspects is an event hosted by Brand SA at RapidLion 2017. This year’s Aspects will have a panel discussion titled, How cinema should reflect Africa today, with panellist filmmakers. A Brand SA paper presentation will also be held on How the South African creative product enhances reputation on the Mother Continent. This platform affords cinema-lovers, filmmakers and other film industry players such as distributors, the opportunity to rub shoulders, share ideas, teach and learn from each other.
RapidLion has partnered with a number of organisations and foundations to bring this remarkable cultural experience to the city and will feature exciting films including the critically-acclaimed Dora’s Peace, which tells the harrowing story of a Hillbrow prostitute; and Noem My Skollie, a story of a man who is arrested for petty crimes and begins telling stories to hardened criminals in prison, among other moving tales from Brics filmmakers.
“RapidLion 2017 is definitely bigger and better than our previous edition. We are very excited to be putting the spotlight once again on South African cinema. We hope that Joburgers will flock to The Market Theatre to see films otherwise never offered in the country,” said Eric Miyeni of RapidLion.
Read: Joburg Film Festival comes to town
Tweet @CityBuzzJHB to tell us how much you love local films.
