South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in association with the Department of Arts & Culture (DAC) and the Department of Sports Recreation (SRSA), is showcasing South African film at the London Olympic Games. The Games run until 12 August while the Paralympics take place from 28 August to 9 September 2012.
SRSA is hosting all South Africans at the Ekhaya Village, which is situated at the South Bank Centre overlooking the river Thames. This is where most of the activities take place.
The NFVF is implementing and overseeing all film activities in the South Africa cultural programme and has planned screenings, with two filmmakers, Rapulana Seiphemo and Khethiwe Ngcobo, in attendance.
There will also be a special screening of Kagiso Lediga’s comedy feature film Blitz Patrollie which recently premiered at the Durban International Film Festival. Supported by the NFVF and starring David Kau, Joey Rasdien and other popular comedians, Blitz Patrollie is a buddy cop comedy set in Johannesburg. The film chronicles the adventures of Rummy Augustine (Joey Rasdien) and his partner, Ace Dikolobe (David Kau), two police officers who have had the misfortune of being stationed in an anonymous depot in the Johannesburg CBD.
Other films to be screened at the Olympics include:
Otelo Burning – Feature Film
When 16 year old Otelo Buthelezi, his best friend, New Year, and his 12 year old brother, Ntwe, are invited to the beach-house of their new friend, Tau Modise, they step into a world previously closed to them.
Mapantsula – Feature Film
Mapantsula tells the story of Panic, a petty gangster who inevitably becomes caught up in the growing anti-apartheid struggle and has to choose between individual gain and a united stand against the system
Skin – Feature Film
Skin is a true story of family, forgiveness and the triumph of the human spirit.Sandra is sent to a boarding school in the neighbouring town of Piet Retief, where her (white) brother Leon is also studying, but parents and teachers complain that she doesn’t belong
Retribution-Feature Film
After 30 years in the judiciary, a retired judge, at the prompting of his family, takes some time out to write his memoir in an isolated cabin in the mountains. One day the retired judge sees a lost hiker, out in the middle of nowhere.The judge invites him to his place.
Spud-Feature Film
It’s South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it’s Spud Milton’s first year at an elite boys only private boarding school. John Milton is a boy from an ordinary background who wins a scholarship to a private school in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
Paradise Stop-Feature Film
Paradise Stop is a South African movie produced by Kenneth Nkosi, Rapulana Seiphemo and Jann Turner, with Rapulana and Nkosi as the lead characters, and Turner as the director.
Gog Helen
Gog’ Helen lives a forgotten life in a South African shackland. When her granddaughter, the unsuspecting Agnes, buys Gogo a new mattress, she throws away the old one without Gogo’s knowledge.
The NFVF and the Department of Arts and Culture invite all South Africans and international film fanatics to attend the screenings and interact with attending filmmakers.
