Johannesburg - If you haven’t been to the cinema in a while or just don’t know which movies to go watch, here are a few must-see local films – or films featuring locals – out now.
1. Catching Feelings
This dark romantic comedy follows a young academic (Kagiso Lediga) and his beautiful wife (Pearl Thusi) as their lives are turned upside down when a celebrated and hedonistic older writer (Andrew Buckland) temporarily moves in with them.
“The film has typical adult themes of politics and sex but also has a touch of comedy too,” says Kagiso, who also wrote and directed the film.
Out now.
2. Gringo
This crime-comedy follows mild-mannered businessman Harold (A United Kingdom’s David Oyelowo), who’s in Mexico to deliver an experimental marijuana pill, as he’s kidnapped by a drug cartel and tries to escape alongside a hired mercenary (Sharlto Copley).
The movie also stars Charlize Theron and Joel Edgerton as Harold’s ruthless bosses and Thandie Newton as his wife.
"Charlize is so beautiful and elegant, but she's also very sharp and streetwise," director Nash Edgerton said about the star. "Every now and then she said something controversial or dirty that shocked everybody because they expect a different attitude from her. [Her character] is that part of Charlize turned up to like 50," he added.
Catch Gringo in theatres from 23 March.
3. Inxeba
In this isiXhosa drama Xolani (Nakhane Touré), a lonely factory worker, travels to the rural mountains with the men of his community to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood.
According to the official website the movie “tackles tradition, sexuality, masculinity, and what it means to be an outsider” and there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding it.
The movie briefly appeared in cinemas before being pulled after getting an X18 rating, but after an urgent application to the high court in Gauteng it was reclassified to 18SNL and is back in cinemas.
Out now.
4. Black Panther
If you haven’t seen Marvel’s latest success story yet you really need to make a plan to get to the cinema.
After the death of his father (as depicted in Captain America: Civil War) T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) becomes the king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced African country that has never been colonised, but his claim is soon challenged by a vengeful outsider (Michael B Jordan).
The movie also stars Lupita Nyong'o and Angela Bassett as well as South Africa’s own John Kani, his son Atandwa and Connie Chiume.
5. Raaiselkind
In this Afrikaans language drama the loving mother (Diaan Lawrenson) of a nine-year-old autistic boy, who is found dead in the bath, is accused of murder.
Channel24’s Graye Morkel says, “The movie has plenty of plot twists and sub-plots to keep you engaged and captivated. Definitely for a more mature audience and keep those tissues close by!”
