Brothers in Arms South Africa 2007 96min
Dir: Jack Lewis

In 1958, at a climatic moment in the Cuban revolution, the South African cargo ship Constantia docked in Cuba to load sugar. Twenty one-year-old seaman, Ronald Herboldt, from Salt River, was immediately attracted to Fidel Castro’s cause. He jumped ship and as ‘the African’ began a career in the Cuban armed struggle that saw him fight the Batista dictatorship, help liberate Cuba, marry a local girl, learn to speak Spanish and fight in the Angolan war.
Despite an abiding love for his adopted country and family, Ronald has an aching desire return home. Forty years later he returns to an ecstatic, poignant homecoming, but his schizophrenic nationhood becomes evident when he must choose between his wife and revolutionary life, or retirement in Cape Town with a family that loves him, but doesn’t understand him.

Courtesy of the Director and Idol Pictures

Jhb Mon 16 / 8pm
CT Sun 22 / 3pm Mon 30 / 6.30pm Wed 1 / 6.30pm

Imbokodo – the Rock South Africa 2007 54min
Dirs: Belinda Blignaut & Bridget Pickering

On the 9th August 1956, twenty thousand women marched to the Union Buildings in protest of the pass laws. These women refused to abide by the moniker of ‘the weaker sex’ and succeeded in challenging the very foundations of Apartheid, whilst still holding down jobs and raising their children, and all with a sense of style. Fifty years later, women from all walks of life, colour and experience celebrated the extraordinary lengths these courageous women went to ensure our freedom.
Zindzi Mandela Hlongwane interviews women with different experiences of the past - from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Ma Vee and Emma Mashinini to Zola Budd, Nodi Murphy and Corelea, and reminisces on women’s historic achievements, and reflects on the challenges that still face South African women today.

Jhb Sat 14 / 5.45pm Wed 18 / 6.45pm
CT Wed 25 / 6.45pm Sun 29 / 4.15pm Sat 4 / 2.30pm

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Keiskamma – a story of love South Africa 2007 90min
Dir: Miki Redelinghuys

In the tiny Eastern Cape hamlet of Hamburg a fully-fledged war is being fought. Grandmothers, the hospice and the good doctor Carol are fighting for hope, human dignity and the will to live. The women’s faithful fight to give to keep their community fit and on ARVs has been manifest in an incredible altarpiece, painstakingly sewn by 130 members.
This sensitive and studied portrait relays the strength, passion, tears and laughter of the wonderful characters in the altarpiece: the gogo Eunice who is such an essential figure in the hospice that she forgets to look after herself, the musician/prophet that runs designs into the sand, the doctor constantly checking that her patients have taken their medicine, and the lost boy searching to find his place in the world.

Courtesy of the Director

Jhb Sun 15 / 6pm Thu 19 / 6.30pm
CT Mon 23 / 8.30pm Sun 29 / 5.30pm Thu 2 / 6.30pm

The Last Call South Africa 2006 24min with subtitles
Dir: Clifford Bestall

This timely, captivating film introduces /Una Rooi, one of just ten people left on earth who can speak the Bushman language, N/u, arguably the oldest language on earth. /Una knows that the language embodies the sounds and the rhythms of the natural world, where each complex word carries an extraordinary amount of environmental information. Although a wonderful vibrant character now living in the ‘no-mans-land’ between western civilization and her ancestral existence, she is fearful that when she and the other old N/u speakers die, their beloved ancient language will be silenced and a unique link to the natural world will disappear. Although the brutal history of the bushmen is explored, so is /Una’s joy and humour when she phones Hannah, a fellow N/u speaker living over 200 kilometres away, and invites her over for a gossip.

Courtesy of the Director and Mafisa Media

Jhb Fri 20 / 6.30pm
CT Mon 23 / 6.30pm Sun 29 / 4pm Wed 1 / 6.45pm

Light on the Hill: A Tour of the Constitutional Court of South Africa with Justice Albie Sachs South Africa 2006 35min
Dirs: Lomin Saayman & Loyd Ross

South Africa’s constitution is famed as the most progressive on earth. In this tour of the Constitutional Court, conducted with humour and wisdom by renowned activist and lawmaker, Justice Albie Sachs, we find that the building’s design is as revolutionary; just as its being situated on the notorious Old Fort Prison site (Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and countless others were incarcerated here) is inspired. Echoing transparency, warmth and openness, the colourful court is filled with dappled, natural light, and is unlike any in the world. Remarkably innovative and simply beautiful, every aspect of the design reflects the values of the constitution, using thoughtful spaces, poignant touches, personalised signage and incredible artworks as an enduring testament to the endless creativity and individuality of all South Africans.
Justice Albie Sachs will introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.

Courtesy of the Directors

Jhb Tue 17 / 8.30pm
CT Fri 20 / 8.45pm

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Lost Prophets South Africa 2007 80min
Dir: Dylan Valley, Sean Drummond

In 1989, during the final putsch for democracy, the Cape Town hip-hop group Prophets of da City (POC) burst onto the scene with their hard-hitting South Africanised hip-hop. This local retro-doc asks, ‘where are they now?’ and looks back at the trajectory that catapulted a tight, clean crew to stardom, only to let them fall into relative and separate obscurity. To a hoppin’ soundtrack, Ready D, Jazmo, Ramone, Gogga, Ismael and manager Lance Stehr, discuss the personal impact the band had ‘back in the day’, as do Zola, Mr Fat and DJ Azhul. They reminisce on the importance of rapping for democracy, the prophetic nature of politicised lyrics, the impact of being banned, break-dancing in Paris and making it big. POC’s lyrics are still relevant and this film demands that they get a second airing.

Courtesy of the Director

Jhb Sat 14 / 8.30pm Wed 18 / 9pm
CT Tue 24 / 8.30pm Sat 28 / 6pm Fri 3 / 6.45pm

Love, Communism, Revolution & Rivonia - Bram Fischer’s Story South Africa 2006 80min
Dir: Sharon Farr

Presenting a remarkable story of uncompromising courage, love, rebellion, dignity and stoicism, this inspiring film portrays the life, work and achievements of one of South Africa’s most noteworthy struggle activists.
Fischer was born into the Afrikaner elite (grandfather: Prime Minister of Orange River Colony; father: Judge President of the Free State), but recognising the contradictions of his experiences, chose a path that would see him simultaneously lauded as a menace and a hero. Seen through the affecting reminisces of his compatriots and family, Bram marries Molly Krige (a niece of Jan Smuts), joins and leads the Communist Party, helps to shape the Freedom Charter, ingeniously uses the legal system to save the lives of the Rivonia accused, and ultimately moves underground to concentrate entirely on his opposition.

Courtesy of the Director and MNet

Jhb Sat 14 / 6pm invite only Thu 19 / 6.30pm Sat 21 / 4.15pm
CT Sat 21 / 6pm Sat 4 / 8.30pm Sun 5 / 3.30pm

WORLD PREMIÈRE / OPENING NIGHT FILM
A Pair of Boots and a Bicycle South Africa 2007 80min
Dir: Vincent Moloi

Why would men who are repressed at home, valiantly fight in the war of their oppressors? And what did the triumphant victors give them, upon their return, for their ‘gallant and distinguished service’? In this very personal, fascinating investigation, Moloi journeys from the Soweto sitting rooms of veterans to El Alamien to find the answers, and in so doing unearths the significant contribution of South Africa’s black soldiers to the Allies’ North Africa campaign. Denied arms they were deployed in the support units.
Told with poignancy, the irony of their situation is slowly revealed through the life and actions of one soldier: Job Maseko. Job received the Military Medal for a heroic and ingenious sabotage of a German supply ship while a prisoner of war in Tobruk.
Courtesy of the Director

Jhb Thu 12 / 7.30pm invite only Wed 18 / 8.45pm Sun 22 / 8.30pm
CT Thu 19 / 7.30pm invite only Tue 24 / 6.45pm Sat 4 / 4pm

Voëlvry South Africa 2006 24min
Dir: Liz Fish

Jannie Adams has spent 32 Christmases in jail. His criminal life started at the age of 15 when he joined the Fancy Boys Gang in Mannenberg. Calling himself the ‘good looking boy with the bad ideas’, the anger and vengefulness he felt from years of neglect and a lack of love, confirmed when not one member of his family came to see him during his first sentence, has seen him serving six.
Usually, Jannie would be viewed as a lost cause, but a remarkable bird project that has been flourishing within Pollsmoor prison since 1999 has given him hope of personal redemption. By hand-rearing exotic birds – cockatiels, Conures, and African Greys – he has learned to care, to give and receive love, and has endless entertainment and company in return.

Courtesy of the Director and Mafiso Media

Voëlvry plays with The Last Call

Jhb Fri 20 / 6.30pm
CT Mon 23 / 6.30pm Sun 29 / 4pm Wed 1 / 6.45pm

SABC / Encounters - Urban Explorers

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Amabele Am South Africa 2007 48min subtitled
Dir: Premilla Murcott

Just what does shape, size and the presence or absence of breasts have to do with how women feel about their bodies and their self-worth? Does breast shape and size affect aspects of a person’s identity? Nolitha grapples with complex feelings around having small, so-called ‘pear-shaped’ breasts. She decides to explore the roots of these feelings. Her journey through rural and urban areas of the Eastern Cape highlights stories, myths and experiences that relate to ‘amabele’ (breasts).
In the Transkei she visits traditional leaders, family members and the mountains that are shaped like a girl’s breasts, Amabel’entombi. In PE she spends time with people who have contrasting opinions, insights and experiences to share with her. Can Nolitha be the person she wants to be amidst all the attempts to box her in a cup-size?

Jhb Thu 19 / 8.30pm Sat 22 / 3.45pm
CT Sun 22 / 3pm Sun 5 / 5.15pm

plays with BEEing Me

WORLD PREMIÈRE
BEEing Me South Africa 2007 48min
Dir: Tebogo Ngoma

Tired, angry and feeling debilitated by the social pressure, Tebogo, a young artist and filmmaker, has set off in search of the African dream.
Is South Africa really free? Are women really able to be exactly who they wish? Asking these and other pertinent questions, Tebogo embarks on a mission to find out if black women can make sense of, and reconcile, their everyday experience with the aspirations that are portrayed in the media. Focusing the camera on three young black women, her peers, she questions what she believes are the empty, incessant ramblings of the media, marketers and politicians. She explores the shouts of abundance, power and success and ponders if she will ever be able to hear her own voice among in their resounding echoes.

Jhb Thu 19 / 8.30pm Sat 22 / 3.45pm
CT Sun 22 / 3pm Sun 5 / 5.15pm

plays with Amabele Am

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Black Sunday South Africa 2007 48min subtitled
Dir: Karabo Lediga & Tamsin Andersson

On most Sundays, Soweto saw a 'congregation' of young artists gather in open spaces in honour of a movement they simply call, Black Sunday. Black Sunday became a counter cultural institution, a movement of youth to counter the poverty, violence and post apartheid contradictions of the day. Through hip hop a new identity and community was formed outside of the categories of the past and the status insignias of the aspirational elite.It has subsequently catapulted some of its followers into the forefront of the South African music scene. This film explores the history of Black Sunday and questions it’s survival in an ever-changing contemporary SA.

Jhb Fri 20 / 8.30pm Sun 22 / 5.30pm
CT Sat 28 / 3.30pm Wed 1 / 8.45pm

plays with Break Boys

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Break Boys South Africa 2007 65min
Dir: Tamsin de Beer

Since Charl quit school to become a fulltime B-boy (breakdancer), he has been living his hip-hop dream on the Cape Flats. One of South Africa’s best, he barely survives on the money that he wins at B-boy battles. To reign victorious at the upcoming SA B-boy champs, Charl and his crew must overcome Duane and Jed’s famous powermoves. And Charl must defeat the battle raging inside his head: when you live in the Cape Flats, how do you believe you are a winner?
Break Boys pitches the ghetto against the system; winning against losing; B-boy against B-boy. The conflicts rage both externally and internally, but ultimately heroism begins at home, and true manhood is not proven in conflict, but in accepting personal responsibility.

Jhb Fri 20 / 8.30pm Sun 22 / 5.30pm
CT Sat 28 / 3.30pm Wed 1 / 8.45pm

plays with Black Sunday

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Do Girls Want It? South Africa 2007 48min subtitled
Dir: Nikki Comninos

Is the concept of virginity being revisited in South Africa’s modern society? This fascinating documentary assesses the current value of virginity and the consequential pressure placed on modern young women – whether they are rural or urban, traditional or modern, or guided (or not) by religion.
In an attempt to curb HIV/AIDS infection rates, both internationally and at home, abstinence and virginity has become the subject of several awareness campaigns. In South Africa specifically the concept is endorsed and enforced by African traditionalists, seen especially in the work of the doyenne of female virginity testing, Nomagugu Ngobese.
Exploring what girls really want, this film considers how each woman values ‘virginity’, navigates society’s notions of purity and ultimately retains control over her own body.

Jhb Fri 13 / 6.30pm Mon 16 / 8.30pm
CT Fri 20 / 6.30pm Tue 31 / 8pm

plays with Jo'burg rising

WORLD PREMIÈRE
Jo’burg Rising South Africa 2007 48min subtitled
Dir: Lindiwe Nkutha

Two men - a street vendor and a parking attendant - find themselves locked inside a dream factory (otherwise known as the city of Johannesburg). Here, at every turn, the dream slips and slides away. Yet, through the combination of sheer determination to live full lives, resilience of spirit and street smarts, they manage to keep up with the business of living. Set against a vibrant cityscape, this portrait explores each character’s world and examines the ways in which they mould the city and are, in turn, moulded by it.
Celebrating their tenacity of heart, this documentary succeeds in probing their internal and external worlds, and tries to explore the veracity of Wally Serote’s poem City Johannesburg, in which he claims the city is “dry like death”.

Jhb Fri 13 / 6.30pm Mon 16 / 8.30pm
CT Fri 20 / 6.30pm Tue 31 / 8pm

plays with Do Girls Want It?