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After the warm reception encountered by South African films such as Roepman and Skoonheid at home and abroad - South African filmmakers and audiences are realising the potential of South Africa as a film producing country and a source of good stories to share with the world. Afrikaans drama Skoonheid triumphed at the illustrious Cannes international film festival scooping up the Queer Palm Award while attracting positive feedback, whereas Roepman competed successfully with international blockbusters at the local box office and received rave reviews.
Clearly, a new age of South African cinema is dawning as SA and the international market are hungry for original homegrown films. Filmmakers are tapping into the stories, histories and cultures of our multifarious nation and the results are colourful, fresh and equally varied.
Let’s take a look at some of the upcoming films that are rooted in or share a connection with South Africa.
JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD
In this animated feature by South African animation studio Duncan MacNeillie the classic South African tale about a brave dog named Jock is brought to life in 3D. The story follows a young puppy, the runt of the litter who is saved from drowning to become a fearless and faithful dog who will eventually become a folk legend for his bravery and loyalty to his master. Oscar winner Helen Hunt and Ted Danson will provide their voice talents. In cinemas July 29 2011. Watch the trailer
ZAMBEZIA
Another animated South African feature, this time by Triggerfish studio. The film also showed at Cannes and received praise for its quality use of 3D technology. Centering around African animal characters, the film is sure to be a family-friendly local movie. A release date is yet to set. Watch the trailer
EK JOKE NET!
Ek Joke Net! is an epic candid camera movie, in the vein of Leon Schuster. It follows and reinvents a long South African history of candid camera films. In cinemas 24 June 2011. Watch the trailer
THE BANG BANG CLUB
The Bang Bang Club is based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin carter, Joao Silva, Ken Oosterbroek - capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. Writer and director Steven Silver employs the talents of outstanding international (Ryan Phillipe, Malin Akerman) and local (Frank Rautenbach, Neels Van Jaarsveld) actors to portray this volatile time in South African history. In cinemas 22 July. Watch the trailer
AFRICAN CATS
African Cats will be the first South African release under the new Disneynature brand. Following the form of a nature documentary with a conservation angle – the film follows the lives of some of Africa’s cutest and most majestic big cats. In cinemas 5 August 2011. Watch the trailer
'N SAAK VAN GELOOF
‘n Saak van Geloof is a new Afrikaans film project by the producers of Jakhalsdans. It follows the strange events that happen in a small farming community when a young pregnant woman claims that she has experienced an immaculate conception. The film stars Afrikaans singer Robbie Wessels. In cinemas 9 September. Watch the trailer
SKOONHEID
The first Afrikaans film to screen in competition at the Cannes film festival, Skoonheid is already one of the most hotly anticipated local releases. Oliver Hermanus' story about a middle-aged family man (played by Deon Lotz) who becomes dangerously obsessed with the young son of a long-lost friend has already garnered praise for its bold depiction of a man in crisis. Skoonheid has been tentatively set for an August/September release in SA. Watch the trailer
Clearly, a new age of South African cinema is dawning as SA and the international market are hungry for original homegrown films. Filmmakers are tapping into the stories, histories and cultures of our multifarious nation and the results are colourful, fresh and equally varied.
Let’s take a look at some of the upcoming films that are rooted in or share a connection with South Africa.
JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD
In this animated feature by South African animation studio Duncan MacNeillie the classic South African tale about a brave dog named Jock is brought to life in 3D. The story follows a young puppy, the runt of the litter who is saved from drowning to become a fearless and faithful dog who will eventually become a folk legend for his bravery and loyalty to his master. Oscar winner Helen Hunt and Ted Danson will provide their voice talents. In cinemas July 29 2011. Watch the trailer
ZAMBEZIA
Another animated South African feature, this time by Triggerfish studio. The film also showed at Cannes and received praise for its quality use of 3D technology. Centering around African animal characters, the film is sure to be a family-friendly local movie. A release date is yet to set. Watch the trailer
EK JOKE NET!
Ek Joke Net! is an epic candid camera movie, in the vein of Leon Schuster. It follows and reinvents a long South African history of candid camera films. In cinemas 24 June 2011. Watch the trailer
THE BANG BANG CLUB
The Bang Bang Club is based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin carter, Joao Silva, Ken Oosterbroek - capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. Writer and director Steven Silver employs the talents of outstanding international (Ryan Phillipe, Malin Akerman) and local (Frank Rautenbach, Neels Van Jaarsveld) actors to portray this volatile time in South African history. In cinemas 22 July. Watch the trailer
AFRICAN CATS
African Cats will be the first South African release under the new Disneynature brand. Following the form of a nature documentary with a conservation angle – the film follows the lives of some of Africa’s cutest and most majestic big cats. In cinemas 5 August 2011. Watch the trailer
'N SAAK VAN GELOOF
‘n Saak van Geloof is a new Afrikaans film project by the producers of Jakhalsdans. It follows the strange events that happen in a small farming community when a young pregnant woman claims that she has experienced an immaculate conception. The film stars Afrikaans singer Robbie Wessels. In cinemas 9 September. Watch the trailer
SKOONHEID
The first Afrikaans film to screen in competition at the Cannes film festival, Skoonheid is already one of the most hotly anticipated local releases. Oliver Hermanus' story about a middle-aged family man (played by Deon Lotz) who becomes dangerously obsessed with the young son of a long-lost friend has already garnered praise for its bold depiction of a man in crisis. Skoonheid has been tentatively set for an August/September release in SA. Watch the trailer
