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AFRICAN FILMS AT THE 29TH DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

DIFF Films
	DIFF NEWS
	Award Winners DIFF 2008
	General press release June 2008
	African Films press release July 2008
	Beyond Bollywood Press release July 2008
	Music Film Press release July 2008
	Italian Film Presence Press release July 2008
	Women to the Fore Press release July 2008
	Filmmakers Against Racism Press release July 2008
	Wavescapes Press release July 2008
	Films at Your Doorstep Press release July 2008

The Durban International Film Festival, now in its 29 th year, opens a window on the world, provides access to many different cultures and provides a space in which the cinematic art form transcends national boundaries. This is particularly relevant in view of the xenophobic attacks that swept South Africa , highlighting, more than ever, the need to disseminate and celebrate the cultural and artistic diversity of the African continent. African films have traditionally been a central pillar of the DIFF programme, the core of which is the presentation this year of 71 South African films, comprising 10 feature films, 29 documentaries and 32 short films which indicate the steady growth of filmmaking in this country. While South African filmmakers struggle to make films and get audiences for them, DIFF is a proud showcase for the brave and talented filmmakers who continue, often against the odds, to make engaging and relevant films. A further 38 films from the continent underscores the broader African presence at DIFF 2008.

DIFF opens with the African Premiere of Jerusalema , directed by Ralph Ziman, a gripping look at the rise of a Johannesburg gangster and that touches on the topical issue of hijacking buildings. The festival will also present the World Premieres of Nothing But The Truth by John Kani, which is based on his popular play; My Black Little Heart by Durban's Claire Angelique, a dark look at Durban's underbelly, shot by the famed cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle; and uMalusi , directed by Mlandu Sikwebu and produced and shot in the Eastern Cape by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka. Following successful screenings in Toronto and London , DIFF will present the African Premiere of Shamim Sarif's The World Unseen, which is set in 1950s South Africa and through its tale of forbidden love transports the viewer to a vibrant, colourful world that is universal in its themes.

Other South African films include the beautifully staged historical drama Land Of Thirst set in the Karoo in 1913, directed by Meg Rickards and produced by Durban 's Vuleka Productions; the Ugandan-South African co-production Divizionz , directed by Yes! That's Us, a heady mix of drama and hip-hop; The Bird Can't Fly , a Dutch-South African co-production directed by Threes Anna; the satirical animation Tengers by Michael Rix; Darrell James Roodt's tense Zimbabwe about the experiences of a young Zimbabwean job-seeker in South Africa ; and Michael Raeburn's much-anticipated Triomf , a controversial take on Marlene Van Niekerk's acclaimed novel.

From the rest of Africa, the selection includes the harrowing DP75 - Tartina City (Chad) by Issa Serge Coelo, a scathing attack on governments that defy their own laws; Another's Man's Garden (Mozambique) by Sol de Carvalho, a fiercely critical examination of the exploitation of women; Faro (Mali/Burkina Faso) by Salif Traore, a portrait of the clash of modernity and tradition; Run Baby Run by Emmanuel Apea Jr, a fast-paced and frequently humorous thriller set between London and Accra; and Namibia: The Struggle For Liberation (Namibia) by Charles Burnett, an epic retelling of the story of Sam Nujoma, the first president of Namibia.

An extensive ten film retrospective of legendary Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene, who passed away last year, offers a fine opportunity to sample a keystone of African cinema.

Mike Dearham, Curator of the M-Net African Film Library which has partnered DIFF in the retrospective, said: “In the realm of African filmmaking, Sembene was widely recognised as a giant and is frequently referred to as ‘the father of African cinema'. Yet these titles fail to really capture the full impact of his accomplishments as an African author, filmmaker, and intellectual. An acute and compassionate man, Sembene worked tirelessly toward distilling the structures and mechanisms of African society into powerful and memorable narrative and filmed images.”

"M-Net AfricaMagic Plus Channel on DSTV Channel 115 is honoured to be associated with the 29th Durban International Film Festival, and in support, will be showcasing an Ousmane Sembene Film Festival between 7 August and 29 August in honour of the legendary Father of Africa Cinema."

Alongside these fine features, some of this year's African documentaries include 50 Years! Of Love? by Karin Slater, an investigation into the institution of marriage; KwaMashu, Still My Home by Owen Alik Shanadah, a vivid political and historical portrait of Durban oldest township; More than Just A Game by Junaid Ahmed, about the role of soccer on Robben Island; You Chuse by Rehad Desai, a challenging exploration of media democracy; Durban Poison! , an idiosyncratic story about the decline of Stable Theatre; the Cameroonian crime and corruption exposé Black Business ; Jane Lipman's Courting Justice on the challenges faced by women judges in South Africa; Grandma's Not Home by Tiny Mungwe, about Durban Kwaito Music and the clubbing scene in Durban; the Spanish /South African co-production Tapologo set in the Freedom Park squatter settlement; The City That Kills Somalians , Riaan Hendricks' distinctive look at Cape Town's poor and dispossessed; and the music documentaries Zulu Meets Jazz , an experimental interface between Italian jazz and Durban township jazz; Lost Prophets by Sean Drummond and Dylan Valley, about legendary South African hip hop pioneers, Prophets Of Da City and Stimela: The Search For The Missing Chord , a riveting look at one of South Africa's most important bands. A special inclusion is 2008 Oscar-winner Taxi To The Dark Side , on US torture in recent times, directed by Alex Gibney and produced by South African Don Edkins.

Rounding up the documentaries is a special 10 film package made in the last three months, as part of the Filmmakers Against Racism initiative, films that all engage head-on with the xenophobic attacks that swept South Africa . Each strikes a clear note that such intolerance has no place in South Africa , and reaffirms a Pan-African and indeed global vision of filmmaking and art in general. These films form the core of the Imagine Africa programme which takes place at the BAT Centre on Saturday 26th July.

Short films are not only the entry point for young filmmakers into the art form, but also hone the skills required to tell a compelling story over a short space of time. The selection of 60 films from over 30 countries includes 29 from South Africa and a further 13 made in other African countries. The line-up includes two films by promising Durban filmmaker Stephen de Villiers.

Full programme details available on www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or telephone the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506 or 031 260 1815 or 031 260 1704

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) the Durban International Film Festival is funded by National Film & Video Foundation, SABC, HIVOS, Royal Netherlands Embassy, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Stichting Doen, the German Embassy in South Africa, Goethe Institute of South Africa, Industrial Development Corporation, and the City of Durban, with valued support from a range of other partners.

For media queries contact:

Sharlene Versfeld

Tel: 031 201 1650

Fax: 031 201 1654

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za