A number of films programmed in the Encounters SA International Documentary Film Festival, which begins on June 22 in Cape Town, offer captivating explorations of the human condition in Africa from deep within, and with collaborative respect from without.
Many of the African films selected are co-productions between African and international filmmakers, providing authentic voices to the stories being told.
The international co-productions investigate gender-based violence in a small town, the beguiling and faceless workings of social media in heart of Africa, child soldiers and war crimes, social welfare grant experiments and multi-racial punk music of the 80’s Apartheid era.
Dorpie, directed by Julia Jaki (SA/Germany), follows the journey of a community worker in the small town of Bredasdorp, where she establishes a safe house for victims of gender-based violence. The film explores the challenges she faces as she strives to protect girls and women and confront the deep-rooted structural inequalities that continue to hinder the most vulnerable in South African society
In the compelling and comedic The Other Profile directed by Armel Hostiou (France/DRC) follows Hostiou as he investigates a fake Facebook account using his name and photos to lure women in Kinshasa to audition for his next film. This is a unique and insightful perspective on identity, authenticity and the impact of social media on our lives.
Free Money directed by Lauren De Filipppo and Sam Soko (US/Kenya) follows a basic income experiment in rural Kenya facilitated by Give Direct, examining the impact of providing a small grant to villagers but at the same time presents a complex human story that reflects on the role of wealth in our lives.
Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who became the first to be indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes is the subject of Theatre of Violence directed by Lukas Konopa and Emil Langbelle (Denmark/ Germany /Uganda) offers a thought-provoking perspective on restorative justice and the effectiveness of the ICC.
The rise and fall of a multiracial punk band during the decline of apartheid is examined in This Is National Wake directed by Mirissa Neff (South Africa/US).
The festival feature films from Africa’s own perspective: we witness theremarkable journey of a pop star turned parliamentarian, the harrowing experiences of children affected by war, the challenges of securing food for families, the pursuit of economic independence, student life in central Africa amidst poverty and corruption, and the impact of corporate influence on farming.
We follow Ugandan pop star Bobi Wine – aka Robert Kyagulanyi – in his rise from the ghettos of Kampala to a seat in the Ugandan parliament in Bobi Wine: The People’s President directed by Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp (Uganda/UK). Current president Your Museveni, has no plans to resign after 30 years, and so Wine incurs the full-blown wrath of the Ugandan state. Fuelled by Wine’s infectious tunes, the film is both riveting and heartbreaking, echoing 2022’s Navalny in its portrait of a charismatic, popular and media-savvy opposition politician who takes on the leader a fascist state.
The anti-war film Le Spectre Of Boko Haram directed by Cyrielle Raingou (Cameroon/France) captures children’s lives under constant threat of Boko Haram’s violence.
In Bangui Central African Republic two worlds collide, or rather, coexist in this visually engaging and character-driven documentary, Eat Bitter directed by Pascale Appora-Ghekindy and Ningy Sun (CAR/US). The film centres around Thomas Boa, a determined man with a modest ambition of providing for his family. Similarly driven is Luan, a Chinese construction manager from a vastly different background. Viewers are given a glimpse of what it truly means to “eat bitter, taste sweet”.
Money, Freedom: a Story of CFA Franc directed by Katy Lena Ndiaye (Senegal/ France Belgium) is an ambitious and detailed documentary exploring the controversial use of the CFA franc currency in West and Central Africa highlighting the impact of colonialism and urges action for economic independence and sovereignty in Africa.
We, Students! directed by Rafiki Farlila (CAR/France/DRC) portrays the harsh realities of university life in Central African Republic, where poverty and corruption run rampant
The Last Seed directed by Andrea Gema (Germany/Senegal/Tanzania/SA) offers a compelling perspective on corporatised agriculture methods through the eyes of African farmers and environmental organisations.
South African filmmakers delve into a range of captivating subjects, including a meteorologist’s extraordinary love affair with an extra-terrestrial being, the transformative Square Kilometre Array project in the Karoo, the evolving landscape of post-apartheid Afrikaner culture through theatre, and the profound influence of communal support for mothers with new-borns.
Uga Carlini’s Beyond the Light Barrier (South Africa/ Italy / Ukraine), narrated by John Kani, explores the extraordinary life of Elizabeth Clara, a South African meteorologist who devoted herself to proving the existence of Akon, her extra-terrestrial lover from the planet Meton in the Proxima Centauri solar system. The film features archival footage, recent interviews with Clearer’s family and friends, as well as sceptics and Southern African Ufologists, to offer an in-depth look at her enigmatic life.
In Reflections of a Broken Mirror director Amber Fox-Martin and Philip Theron (SA) delves into how theatre has reshaped Afrikaner culture in post-apartheid South Africa through key productions that challenged dominant Afrikaner identity. .
In 1001 Days Kethiwe Ngcobo and Chloe White (SA/UK) offer a tender and eye-opening account of the Ukulele Visiting Home programme in Alexandra, SA. Following eight devoted women, who support hundreds of new mothers during the first 1001 days of their babies’ lives.
!Aitsa directed by Dane Dodds (SA/Denmark), transcends tradition, science, and spirituality, immersing viewers on a journey that explores the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in the Karoo.
Then a Swiss lens on Africa and India features in three remarkable films: Rolando Colia and Josef Burri’s Out of Ugandapowerfully documents the struggles of four LGBT youth in Uganda facing continual harassment and threats. With no safe harbour, the only way for them to guarantee their safety is to seek asylum in Switzerland.
Rudi van der Merwe’s Calvinia (SA/ Switzerland ) is a poetic documentary about the small South African town and its impact under Apartheid’s value system.
Don’t Worry About India directed by the Nama Film Collective (Germany/Switzerland / India) is a charming film about a young Indian filmmaker, who has been living in Europe, and returns to India to document the 2019 election.
Encounters SA International Documentary Film Festival Encounters runs from 22 June until 2 July 2023.
Cinemas screening the 2023 Encounters’ line-up include:
In Cape Town – Ster-Kinekor V&A Waterfront, The Labia Theatre, The Bertha House Mowbray, and The Bertha Movie House Isivivana Community Centre Khayelitsha.
In Johannesburg – Ster-Kinekor Rosebank Nouveau, The Bioscope Independent Cinema
Website: www.encounters.co.za
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