THE 37th Durban International Film Festival, which starts on Thursday, 16 June and runs until 26 June, will host a series of public screenings that will be free to the public.
The DIFF will travel to Clermont, Kwangcolosi, Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu and the city centre, where people will have the opportunity to watch this year’s opening night film The Journeymen as well as the comedy, Wonder Boy for President, starring Kagiso Lediga.
The Journeymen, is a documentary filmed in 2014 and chronicles the free-wheeling journey of three South African photographers (Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus De Wet) across the country as they explore the current state of South Africa with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests. The trio ask the question: “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?” The film answers this question with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that is disturbing, beautiful, thought-provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal. The film shows the underlying demons of our troubled national soul but also its deep and profound beauty. Made with technology that is widely accessible, the film is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative.
Wonder Boy for President, directed by John Barker, tells a story of Wonder Boy, a charismatic and authoritative young man from the Eastern Cape (played by master comedian Kagiso Lediga), who is coerced into running for president by two dubious and corrupt characters played by Ntosh Madlingozi and Tony Miyambo. Their aim is to mould him into a great politician and manufacture his down-fall at the right time, for the right price. It is a political satire that delves into political dynamics and the challenges that arise.
Both films will be screened each day, Saturday, 18 June at 10am at Clermont Library, Monday, 20 June at 10am at Wushwini Arts Centre at Kwangcolosi, Tuesday, 21 June at 10am at Ohlange Library, Inanda, Thursday, 23 June at 10am Umlazi W Library, Friday, 24 June at 10am at Creative Arts College on Dr Pixley Kasema Street (West Street) and Saturday, 25 June at 10am at KwaMashu Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre (KCAP).
Call 031 260 2506, or visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for more information.
