In October 2014, AfricAvenir, Independence Avenue Films, and Uhuru Productions will bring the South African film about the events of Marikana, Miners Shot Down to the Khomas and Erongo regions in Namibia. Co-funded by the national Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this South African documentary by director Rehad Desai is a criticism of the government’s response to striking miners in Marikana in 2012. The story made international headlines, and the commission of inquiry is ongoing.
Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, Miners Shot Down, follows the strike at one of South Africa’s platinum mines from day one, showing the courageous and isolated fight waged by a group of low paid workers.
The screening will be attended by the film director Rehad Desai, the Marikana Support Campaign, and Marikana miner Mzoxolo Magidiwana.
The film will be presented in the Khomas region at following venues/dates:
1 October 2014: 19h00, Multipurpose Youth Centre, Katutura, Reverend Auala Street.
2 October 2014: 16h00, UNAM, Main Library.
The film will be presented in the Erongo region at following venues/dates:
3 October 2014: 19h00, NUNW Hall, Swakopmund, Ratatoka Street.
4 October 2014: 16h00, Municipality Hall, Arandis.
4 October 2014: 19h00, Swakopmund Museum, Lecture Hall, Swakopmund.
Entrance to all screenings is free.
Carla Dias, events coordinator at the NFVF told Variety magazine, says that Miners Shot Down reflects the growing spirit and conviction of South African filmmakers who are “not worried about criticizing our own government.’ “They’re not scared to tell (this story),’ she said. “Look how far we’ve come and we can still make films like this,’’ says Dias. “That for me is freedom.’
Watch the trailer.
