Durban International Film Festival back with a bang
With hybrid online and live screenings, there’s no excuse to miss out on exciting African and international movies.
DURBAN’S favourite film festival is back for the 43rd time, taking place from July 21 to 30.
2022’s Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is in an exciting hybrid format with all live screenings at the CineCentre Suncoast Casino and others available to view online. The online offering includes almost 200 films from student films, children’s films, shorts, documentaries and features which can be watched from your couch.
DIFF, regarded as one of the leading film festivals in Africa, promotes African films which are shown alongside international media.
With such a wide selection offered this year, it’s difficult to know which titles to watch with your popcorn. These are the eclectic choices that made my list.
1960 is the opening film of the festival and tells the story of a retired singer who must assist with an investigation into an apartheid-era death. Directors: King Shaft and Michael Mutombo.
African Moot is a documentary about talented law students who gather for a prestigious annual event, The African Human Rights Moot Competition. The filmmakers follow a group of students as they prepare their fictional case and then travel to Botswana to compete. Director: Shameela Seedat.
Black Mambas depicts the lives of an all-female, anti-poaching unit operating in the Kruger National Park under challenging conditions. Director: Lena Karbe.
Delville Wood is a student film about a historical event that took place in the First World War in France. In this fictionalised account, a nurse, soldier and a stretcher-bearer are thrown together and must rely on each other to survive. Director: Izette Blignaut and Connor Weidemann.
Music is my Life tells the story of Joseph Shabalala’s rise to fame with his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Director: Mpumi Supa Mbele.
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Valley of a Thousand Hills is the narrative of a woman who must choose between living her authentic life with her true love or pleasing her parents. This movie explores sapphic romance in South Africa and depicts breathtaking images of KZN scenery. Director: Bonnie Sithebe.
Queer Parivaar is a short film about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, which is told against the backdrop of a colourful traditional wedding. The film is created by a predominantly South Asian LGBTQ+ cast. Director: Shiva Raichandani.
Happy viewing, whether it’s on your couch or in the comfortable cinema chairs at Suncoast Casino.
Live-screening tickets – available from CineCentre, Suncoast Casino or cinecentre.co.za
Virtual screenings – Register on www.durbanfilmfest.com to book from July 21 onwards. Once you’ve booked your film, you have two days to watch it.
Programme – www.durbanfilmfest.com
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