Media Release
37th Durban International Film Festival: Free Public Screenings
The Durban International Film Festival, which takes place from June 16 to 26, will host a series of free public screenings. The DIFF will travel to Clermont, Kwangcolosi, Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu and the city centre, where people will have the opportunity to watch this year’s opening night film The Journeymen as well as the comedy - Wonder Boy for President, starring Kagiso Lediga.
The Journeymen is a documentary filmed in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death. The film chronicles the free-wheeling journey of three South African photographers (Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus De Wet) across the country as they explore the current state of South Africa with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests, feeling its pulse and asking the question: “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?” The film answers this question with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that is disturbing, beautiful, thought-provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal. The film shows the underlying demons of our troubled national soul but also its deep and profound beauty. Made with technology that is widely accessible, the film is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative.
Directed by John Barker, Wonder Boy for President tells a story of Wonder Boy, a charismatic and authoritative young man from the Eastern Cape (played by master comedian Kagiso Lediga), who is coerced into running for president by two dubious and corrupt characters played by Ntosh Madlingozi and Tony Miyambo. Their aim is to mould him into a great politician and manufacture his down-fall at the right time, for the right price. It is a political satire that delves into political dynamics and the challenges that arise.
Programme – both films will be screened each day
Saturday, 18 June at 10:00am at Clermont Library
Monday, 20 June at 10:00am at Wushwini Arts Centre at Kwangcolosi
Tuesday, 21 June at 10:00am at Ohlange Library, Inanda
Thursday, 23 June at 10:00am Umlazi W Library W
Friday, 24 June at 10:00am at Creative Arts College on Dr Pixley Kasema Street (West Street)
Saturday, 25 June at 10:00am at KwaMashu Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre (KCAP)
For general enquiries call 031 260 2506, logon to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za, follow on Twitter @Diffest and like the Facebook page Durbaninternationalfilmfestival.
The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).
The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.
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