Hard-hitting local movie opens Durban International Film Festival
The focus this year is looking at films from the African continent.
BACK in July 2013, at the 34th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), writer-director Jahmil X.T.
Qubeka’s film, Of Good Report, was originally chosen to open the festival, but it was later announced to have been banned by the National Film and Video Foundation for containing “child pornography”, this decision was later overturned after an appeal by the producers of the film.
Fast Forward to this year’s DIFF event which was hosted by TV personality, Minnie Dlamini Jones and attended by many familiar faces especially those in the entertainment industry. The spotlight was again on Qubeka as his movie Knuckle City opened the festival. Set in Mdantsane a township in the Eastern Cape, with its rich history of producing 12 boxing world champions so far, the movie explores the everyday struggles of aging boxer Dudu Nyakama. The fictional narrative focuses on the culture of boxing in the township.
“It’s a violent coming of age movie with the main emphasis being a journey towards self actualisation and manhood. It’s my fourth feature film, but my first film set in the area that raised me. It is an ode to my formative years,” said Qubeka.
In her welcoming address, Acting Mayor, Fawzia Peer gave a warm welcome to the delegates who came from all over the world. Peer spoke about the growing South African film industry and praised Durban for contributing to that growth.
“We believe that the film industry in Durban has the potential to be a leading sector in generating economic growth, employment and trade as is the case in many advanced economies,” she said.
DIFF festival manager, Chipo Zhou who has been apart of DIFF for three years said the festival still brings the same amount of excitement to her as it did at the start.
“The focus this year is looking at films from the African continent, by Africans and African’s in the diaspora. The creatives are pushing boundaries and I am always overwhelmed by the number of high quality submissions we receive. The programmers can attest to what a daunting task it is cutting down the selections,” she said.
The film’s Xhosa-language script includes the use of the excessive offensive language and violence which has come to define Qubeka’s style. The movie is co-produced and edited by award-winning Layla Swart of Yellowbone Entertainment, together with Mzansi Magic.The cast also includes stars the late Nomhle Nkonyeni, Bongile Mantsai, comedian Siv Ngesi, Faniswa Yisa, Owen Sejake, Patrick Ndlovu and Zolisa Xaluva.
Dr Lliane Loots, acting director of the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal said she was excited to see DIFF take a local approach this year.
“We’re committed to showcasing local film, we’re so happy to see that both the opening and closing films are South African. We’ve also signed the 50/50 by 20/20 global campaign which focuses on building women in film, not only on screens but behind the scenes too,” she said.
The milestone celebration will continue until July 28 and will see a total of 212 feature films, documentaries, short films, including the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival with 19 films focused on surfing and water culture. Visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for more information.
