BRIDGES – AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY @ DURBAN ART GALLERY

BRIDGES – AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE DURBAN ART GALLERY

Bridges, the exhibition of photographs by documentary photographers South African Andrew Tshabangu and Ren-Paul Savignan from Reunion Island, currently on at the Durban Art Gallery has been extended to January 27, 2013.é

The exhibition which is part of the France/South Africa Season, has as its focal point of the work spiritual and religious practices in South Africa and Reunion Island, and represents a 15 year collaboration between the two artists. The artists spent time researching and documenting in both countries. The presence of a rich diversity of religious practices is common to both locations. On Reunion Island, due to a long history of inhabitation by people of diverse ethnicities, a complex range of religious beliefs is found. The focus in South Africa has been the many ways in which Christianity is interpreted and experienced by Africans.

Savignan, who was born in Le Port in 1970, began his career working in a ‘fast lab’; after two years of workshop studies he started his own laboratory and his works are regularly exhibited on Reunion Island and internationally. Tshabangu was born in Soweto, in 1966, and currently teaches photography at the Alexander Community Art Centre and is represented by Johannesburg gallery MOMO.

The photographers agreed to a unique and interesting approach: they would always take photographs at the same time and place. In visiting each other’s countries the artists were able to connect with their respective history and culture as well as revising their awareness of their own.  “Reunion Island can be considered as a laboratory of the meetings of civilizations,” says Savignan, who observed that the diversity of religious beliefs connected people rather than divided them, with many islanders embracing more than one belief system without prejudice.

“The religious ceremony is a critical vehicle through which the community and the individual communes with the creator and with nature,” says Tshabangu. “In this body of work, I am portraying Christian practices from an African perspective and expressing the passion for a brand of faith steeped in both the Western Christian doctrine and African religions. This brew of spirituality is rooted in the heart of African communities.”

BRIDGES comprises eighty black and white photographs selected from thousands of images captured over the years. Together they explore and document that most fundamental of human needs: the expression of spiritual longing through communal ritual. 

 For more information contact Jenny Stretton on 031-3327286 or email jenny.stretton@durban.gov.za

CODED - A NEW SA FILM BEGINS ITS JOURNEY

This week, Origin, one of Durban’s most popular nite clubs, pumped and oozed as “audio-induced” dancers took to the floor in the promotional film currently being shot in Durban for a new South African sci-fi film, Coded.

Coded is co-directed by award-winning Durban-based film-maker Richard Green and Matt Nefdt. Green well-known for his work on films such as District 9, Spud and more recently with The Long Walk to Freedom is also one of four producers including Gavin Humphrey who wrote the imaginative, other-worldly and techno-trippy script. 

“Coded has three different types of revolution” explains Executive Producer Anthony Stonefield, “A movie storyline describing free citizens revolting against consumerist enslavement, the pioneering usage of wrap-around (3D) audio within a feature film, and, the manner in which the audience will “plug into” the movie—using an internet connection and earphones—and become immersed within its medium.”

“The movie will be brought to audiences where technology first-adopters have already moved: to a private video-on-demand environment on PCs, tablets and smartphones connected to the Internet, in addition to traditional four-wall movie theatres.”

“The story is set in the near future where new subliminal advertising technology has heralded the rise of sinister corporations that carry out mass surveillance on consumers; tracking their every move, collecting, collating and analysing their data. “ explains an upbeat Gavin Humphrey who makes his debut as a scriptwriter on this film. “A subliminal mind-control organisation, is on the forefront of this commercial revolution, using a secretive pattern recognition technology they have created “The Grid”, a network of key social influencers, bloggers, media personalities and event promoters, all tagged with sub-harmonic technology that allows them to be tracked and ultimately controlled. Key to this organisation's master plan is the shifting craze, an underground party scene, where shifters use audio narcotics to achieve altered states. Dayne is a notorious shifter and designer of digital drugs and a key node on the Grid. Plagued by tone deafness and which he feels prevents him from mastering the art of audio design, Dayne isn’t about to be a pawn in anyone’s game.”

“New generations will spend increasing proportions of their lives in ever more immersive, networked and interactive media environments—both seductive and useful.” Says Stonefield. ”This course of human evolution is inevitable.  The critical unknown is to what extent our children will become masters or slaves of such artificial reality.  Whoever controls the Grid controls reality itself.”

“In the real world, this mass social experiment in neurochemistry has already begun.  CODED casts a light on the types of moral and emotional swings and balances that increasingly characterize the live of the internet-worked generation.  It is a reflective movie for a modern generation whose reality is already shattered and up for grabs.”

“Coded is a project we have seen grow from strength to strength over the past few years.” Says Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office. “It is an exciting and innovative new story that is sure to take the SA youth market and the world by storm. I am very proud that this project has been born in Durban by Durban, and cannot wait to experience it on the big screen. This new concept of filmmaking goes hand in hand with the Durban Film Offices objective to establish Durban as a digital innovation hub and will stand testament to the awesome opportunities that new technologies offer to the world of filmmaking. Congratulations to the creative team for their perseverance in bringing this story to life.”

Coded’s promo reel is being shot this week in Durban at two different locations.  Pre-production is scheduled for the second half of 2013 with principal filming taking place around August/September 2013.

For more info go to

http://codedmovie.tumblr.com/

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Award-winning Doccie - Dear Mandela - Theatrical Release

DEAR MANDELA by Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza – Theatrical premiere

The multi-award-winning South African documentary, Dear Mandela has its theatrical release in Cape Town tonight at the Fugard Theatre before being screened at The Bioscope in Johannesburg over the long weekend from December 14 to 19.

This hard-hitting, remarkably vivid and lucid view of South Africa’s first post apartheid generation as they come of age in a nation of unfulfilled promises and increasing government repression of political activists has scooped several awards since its premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in 2011. IThis film directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza has gone on to win the Grand Jury Prize and Best Documentary at 2012 Brooklyn Film Festival, Best Documentary, Montreal int’l Black Film Festival, Golden Butterfly Award, Movies That Matter Film Festival as well as a nomination for the African Academy Award for Best Documentary.

For more info about the screenings or to book go to www.thebioscope.co.za or call 011-0397306.  For more info about the film go to www.dearmandela.com.

AFDA Announces Core Staff for its New Durban Campus

AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, which opens its third campus in South Africa, in Glen Anil in Durban in January 2013, has announced the appointment of some of its core senior staff.

Heading up the Live Performance School is the respected, multi-talented award-winning playwright, director and actor Rajesh Gopie. His counterpart in the Film School is award-winning, film director and producer Richard Green. Janet van Eeden, also an award-winning scriptwriter and educator has been appointed Head of Academic coursework and assessment.

The Dean of the Durban Campus is experienced producer and film-maker Franco Human, who currently the head of the producing department of AFDA Cape Town and the Undergraduate course director. 

“Accepting this position as head of live performance is a bold step for me.” says Rajesh Gopie, whose professional career up until now has been as a “sole agent” in the tough world of live performance, “But this heralds an exciting new phase in my life and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and growing a new generation of live performance practitioners.”

Richard Green, the Durban-based director/producer, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the mix. Green has a string of well-known films to his name including Spud, District 9, Otelo Burning with his most recent being assistant director on Anant Singh’s Long Walk to Freedom, which is currently in post-production.

Janet Van Eeden, who is currently doing her PHD in English at UKZN, has written 12 screenplays and 6 stage plays. In 2011 she won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award for the northern/southern regions as a Columnist for The Sunday Independent. Van Eeden, like the founding members of AFDA Garth Holmes and Bata Passchier, believes that the story/ narrative is everything to the success of making films.

Franco Human, is excited about the possibilities the new school will offer students and the film and theatre industry in Durban.  Human, who has been with AFDA for 10 years, started at the Johannesburg school as production co-ordinator and later took up a position as a junior lecturer in the producing department before moving to Cape Town. He has produced many short films, theatre musical productions, a celebrity campaign for M-Net and the SABC, a television series for CTV and an Afrikaans horror feature film as part of his Masters of Fine Art degree (which played to rave reviews), to name a few.  He has worked with the lifestyle show “Expresso” on SABC 3 and you may just recognise him as “the guy in the green shorts” doing Zumba and has other funky moves.  

Other core staff include junior lecturers Damien Tomaselli and Stuart Strydom. Tomaselli, has an Honours degree in Media and Communication Studies and Dramatic Performance and has worked as a performer, editor and producer across both theatre and film genres. Strydom graduated cum laude from the Durban University of Technology with a Bachelor of Technology (Video) and has extensive experience in video and sound editing.

The Production Design Lecturer is Sam Kelly, who worked for UK’s Channel 4 and BBC for a decade before running her own production company in Cape Town for four years. She now resides in Durban where she says she realized that the art department is her passion as her main interest lies within character analysis and how that gets interpreted into film.

The Co-ordinator and Administrative Assistant post will be held by Jessica Singh, who has a BA Degree in Communication Science  & English and is currently studying towards her Honours in Communication Science.

“We are really pleased with the strong core staff contingent we have appointed.” says Chairman of AFDA, Garth Holmes. “All these positions have been filled with people who have both academic and practical industry experience on many levels, and we trust that they will bring a dynamic and hands-on approach to the learning processes at the school. Students can always draw their information from a myriad sources, but being taught and guided by people who have worked in their respective fields, adds a richness to the experience of learning that no book or website can match.”

The school’s academic year starts on February 4th, 2013. For more information about AFDA contact Milena Gevers on  milenag@afda.co.za or call  031 569 2252.

Victory for Anant Singh - Durban Film Industry Set to Benefit

NATAL COMMAND: ULTIMATE VICTORY FOR SINGH

November 29, 2012

Yesterday the Constitutional Court of South Africa handed down judgement in favour of Anant Singh’s Rinaldo Investments in the matter of the purchase of the Natal Command site on the Durban beachfront. Singh has emerged victorious after an epic legal battle that has spanned more than eight years.

The Constitutional Court in its unanimous, comprehensive judgement by the full bench of the eleven judges of the Court, also dealt with the standing of Giant Concerts saying, “The inference that Giant was merely toying with process, or seeking to thwart a propitious public development because it had been made available to someone else, is therefore one the Court is entitled to draw. The consequence is that Giant lacks standing, since its interest remains incipient and has never become direct or substantial.”

Singh, currently in London, commented, “We welcome the decision of the Constitutional Court.  We are vindicated by the judgement which endorses the fact that due process was followed in the transaction.  The long legal process has delayed the project which would have a positive impact on the economy of the City and Province.  We now look forward to proceeding with the exciting opportunities that this development brings to the region in the film, media and entertainment sectors.”

The proposal for the project, together with concept drawings for the film studio complex were presented to the City nine years ago wherafter it was presented to City’s Exco and was subsequently unanimously approved by a full sitting of the eThekwini Council and endorsed by the Provincial Authorities.

Representing Singh and Rinaldo Investments were Sudhir Pragjee (Videovision Entertainment’s Director of Business Affairs), attorney David Levin of Nicolson Stiller and Geshen, and Advocates Peter Olsen SC and Andrea Gabriel SC.

Summarising the judgement, the Constitutional Court said:

Today the Constitutional Court delivered a judgment dismissing an appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

In 2003, through a law allowing a municipality to sell land by private sale rather than a public tender, the Ethekwini Municipality sold prime property on the Durban beachfront to Rinaldo Investments (Pty) Ltd (Rinaldo) as part of its plan to promote Durban as an international destination for film production. Rinaldo is a property-holding company ultimately controlled by film-maker Mr Anant Singh. The applicant, Giant Concerts CC (Giant), objected to the proposed sale and the Municipality rejected the objection.

Giant asked the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg to set aside the sale. The High Court decided in favour of Giant, holding that the decision was unlawful, procedurally unfair and unreasonable. It declared the agreement between the Municipality and Rinaldo void.

On appeal, the Supreme Court of Appeal reversed the finding of the High Court. It found that Giant had failed to establish legal standing to challenge the decision to sell the land to Rinaldo since it had not shown a sufficient interest in the subject matter of the dispute. Giant claimed to act in its own interest in terms of section 38(a) of the Constitution.

In a unanimous judgment for the Constitutional Court, Cameron J noted that Giant did not claim to act in the public interest or on behalf of a group or association or anyone who was not able to bring proceedings themselves. It therefore had to show standing on the basis of its own interest alone. The Court affirmed that constitutional own-interest standing is broader than traditional common law standing. A litigant must nevertheless show that his or her rights or interests are directly affected by the challenged law or conduct.

The Court concluded that even on a broad approach to standing, Giant did not show that it had interests that were capable of being directly affected. This was because Giant never demonstrated that it had any serious commercial interest in the venture. In fact, Giant had failed to establish anything more than a hypothetical or academic interest. The Court found that Giant had no standing.

It held that when a party does not have standing, it is not necessary to consider the substance of the dispute, unless there is at least a strong indication of fraud or other gross irregularity in the conduct of a public body. There was nothing of the kind in the case before it. The appeal was therefore dismissed with costs.

-Ends

For more info on this contact Nilesh Singh

Nilesh Singh

031 2046050

nilesh@videovision.co.za

Brand New isiZulu Radio Station Goes Live on Nov 22

VUMA 103 FM: IKHAYA LENTOKOZO – THE HOME OF HAPPINESS!

A brand new, authentically isiZulu, 24 hour commercial music radio station, Vuma 103 FM, featuring both inspirational and gospel music and an incredible host of KZN presenters, will go commercially live on November 22. With a large broadcast footprint extending across Greater Durban, Pietermaritzburg and surrounds, this exciting new entrant onto the KZN radio airwaves is set to surprise, delight, entertain and inspire listeners with its uplifting, unique and celebratory brand of radio. With music, listener-interaction, entertainment, news, weather, traffic and sports, Vuma 103 FM will be a compelling new radio-listening alternative for the proud people of KZN.   

VUMA 103 FM is poised to attract listeners who resonate with its inspirational brand of music and content, lifestyle, family and celebration, companionship and general wholesome values which so many in KZN embrace and live by. Vuma’s authentic isiZulu grounding will enhance its appeal to those who are proud of their isiZulu culture, language, heritage and status. “VUMA’s mandate is unique in KZN,” says Station Manager Phindi Gule. “We will be broadcasting in 90%  authentic isiZulu and 10% English (never Zunglish), as for a long time there has been a strong indication that an isiZulu renaissance is underway in our Province, and so we have chosen to use authentic language geared to engender a sense of pride and identity within our communities.” 

While VUMA 103 FM’s content will consist of 70% music on its airwaves, aimed at really keeping listeners entertained and close to their radios throughout the day, listeners can also expect to be kept updated and informed on hot topics and current talking points. “VUMA is a sophisticated, positive, inspired, adult, contemporary music radio station,” says Chief Operating Officer, Nolan Vernon. “The presenters, some of whom are well-known through the wonderful legacy of KNI radio, and also through other community and commercial radio networks, as well as others whom will come as a delightful surprise to our listeners, have been hand-picked to appeal to a wide range of people within the context of our values and vision. Our presenters themselves are reflective of who we are as a radio station, and what we stand for in terms of our positive values, and strong sense of upliftment, within the realm of KZN.”

The station’s main shareholders are KNI and One Gospel TV Channel, who came together nearly three years ago with a vision for a new, inspired radio brand for KZN. The music lists will be drawn from popular inspirational and Gospel music, both local and international. Week days and Saturdays will be committed to a variety of shows packed with music, interesting information, news, sports, current affairs and interactive talk shows; and Sundays will be devoted to inspirational song and praise. 

‘The birth of Vuma 103 FM is the beginning of a new chapter that is being co-written by KNI and One Gospel” says Reverend Abe Sibiya, Executive Chairperson of Vuma 103 FM and of One Gospel TV, “It is a chapter that we look forward to and embrace with great excitement as we embark on what promises to be a most meaningful journey ahead, both for those within the station, with old friends, listeners and companions from KNI, and also for our new listeners across the Province.”

‘Our vision for Vuma is that it will be a station of joy, strength and comfort for all,” says Siziwe Chili, board member of both Vuma 103 FM, as well as KNI. “The station embodies the vision of a dedicated collective of people who all have a desire to create a cohesive, meaningful community within KZN through a common interest in inspirational messaging and values. We look forward to seeing the positive impact we will have on the lives of so many people.”

VUMA 103 FM has attracted some top presenters who are already well established and well-loved on the air waves.” Senzo Myeni and Siya Malinga are both on board,” says Gule.  “We also want to appeal to the ladies and make sure that women’s issues are addressed and debated, and to this end we also welcome Sister Kay, Leleti Khumalo and Phindile Kweyama. One of our sports presenters is Nomfundo Khaba, who has a fervent taste for boxing and soccer as well as a passionate array of other sports interests too. She certainly breaks the mould!” 

Others in the line up include personal trainer and sports fanatic Mike Nzimande, the cool sophisticated Thabani Mbatha, the colourful and entertaining Felix Hlope with his wise cracks and witty observations, and actor Sthembiso Sibisi who loves both arts and sports. One can also enjoy the suave tones of Dumisane Buthelezi, news and views from Phumlani Nkwanyana, late night chats with Protus Mkhize and  sweet open-hearted conversations with Ndoni Radebe.  Completing the line up is Nhlanhla Makhanya and Thabo Mzimela; with a wealth of experience behind them to make the listeners feel at home. 

Located in the easily-accessible precinct of Umhlanga New Town Centre, just opposite Gateway, VUMA 103 FM’s station boasts beautiful premises with state of the art studios and equipment, and the first and latest broadcasting software of its kind in the country. The professional setup will assist the on-air teams and presenters in delivering slick, engaging and super-sonic music and programmes geared to appeal to listeners across the KZN region. 

The Vuma 103 FM creative team also has a whole range of unexpected and exciting concepts in store for listeners too. “We are keen to break new ground with VUMA and offer an unusual mix of programmes that caters to the diverse taste of our listeners,” explains Gule. “For instance, we will introduce a short morning session with a well-known imbongi to get the day started in a positive and uplifting way.  We also plan to be out and about and visible at key events, whether they are sports or cultural events, family occasions, or celebrations, so that people can meet us and get to know us. We believe in a healthy, grounded life style; with the emphasis on what is wholesome and fresh without us being pushy or high-handed. Vuma will use the airwaves responsibly and gather in the flock of listeners who believe in family values, joyous entertainment and positivity.” 

“Our listeners are people who are always looking for reasons to feel motivated and inspired,” adds Vernon, “people who see themselves as influencers and who are passionate about their lives, who will subscribe to having a personal, meaningful listener-relationship with Vuma 103 FM. We are really a radio station which is “For the people of KZN, By the people of KZN.” 

With a solid foundation of listener-support already in place within KZN, as a result of the inspired broadcasting of KNI Community Radio over the past decade, Vuma 103 FM is in a privileged place. “Most people or organisations, who aspire to build something for a positive purpose, spend their entire existence striving to create a meaningful legacy. In the case of Vuma, we are fortunate to already have our legacy, forged by KNI Radio, and now it is up to Vuma 103 FM to build on that, to honour that, and to take it forwards into a new era of broadcasting!” says Vernon.

Vuma’s geographical reach covers greater Durban, and also extends beyond Pietermaritzburg, encompasses Greytown, Ballito on the North Coast and reaches down to Scottburgh on the South Coast.  

VUMA 103 FM goes commercially live to air on 22 November on the frequency 103 FM. This innovative, fresh, energetic and inspired radio station invites everyone who wants a little light and laughter to enter their lives to tune in, share, and celebrate a new era in radio for KZN.

Ends

AFDA Film Festival

AFDA ANNULA FILM FESTIVAL

Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban

23, 24 and 25 November 2012

Each year AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) hosts an annual film festival which showcases more than 50 new third year graduates and fourth year honours (post graduate) students’ films.  The festival is a unique opportunity for graduate students to attract and experience an audience in a public cinema environment.

The festival is held at Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau in Johannesburg (Rosebank) and Cape Town (Cavendish) on November 23 and 24 and for the first time in Durban at the Gateway’s Cinema Nouveau on November 25.

“Although it’s a fun and exciting event for everyone concerned, the festival is unique as it uses a audience response rubric directly aligned to the learning inputs and modelling process that AFDA utilizes.” says AFDA Chairman Garth Holmes. “This gives students the experience of the visceral emotional response of the audience – a key learning moment in terms of learning to identify and develop audiences for the future”.

This year will also see the festival go online for the first time – a pilot process driven by the AFDA digital innovation laboratory and two of its key participants Wicus Labuschagne and Jeffrey Rusch.

“We’re constantly sharing and tweeting about experiences, pinning videos for our friends and some might argue that our digital footprint is becoming as much of an identity as the brands we wear on our clothes” says Labuschagne.

The AFDA Online Festival website www.afdafestival.com which allows people to interact with the films they see at the Cinema Festivals.  The AFDA Online Festival website will also showcase film that you can’t watch at the Cinema Festival. Second year films, fourth year documentaries and even a few first year films will be included online.

The online festival will be run for a week after the Ster Kinekor festival and there will be activities prior and during the festival from 25 to 30 November.  

The film festival in Johannesburg begins at 11h45 to 23h00 on Friday, November 23 and 12h15 to 22h00 on Saturday, November 24; in Cape Town from 11h30 to 23h00 Friday, November 23 and 10h30 to 22h00 on Saturday, November 24 and Durban from 10h00 to 20h00 on Sunday, November 25. There are a total of 24 hours of fascinating short films to take in.

Tickets for Johannesburg are R20 per screening, Cape Town are R15 per screening and Durban’s screenings are free. (Donations, however are welcome which will go to Vision Mission - Ster Kinekor's  CSI initiative to assist youngsters in underpriveleged communities by identifying and helping those with visual problems nationwide.)

For the programme, trailers and behind the scenes info for the festival go to www.afdafestival.com

Angels' Place - Studios de Cirque - Durban Nov 17

Durban will come alive on November 17 with the amazing performance in the CIty Centre of Angels' Place (Place des Anges) by Studios de Cirque which was last seen in the closing ceremony of the London Olympics.  Starts at 7pm with circus acts by Blue Fire Productions and then at 8pm - Angels' Place. There are ziplines across the city centre from all the high rise buildings around the city hall - and they will be dropping 1,5 tons of feathers over the crowd....should be amazing!

Alain Benatar hosts Positive Alignment Anusara Workshop and Introductory Class

Well-known Los Angeles-based yoga instructor Alain Benatar will be conducting an one-off introductory class into the Anusara System of hatha yoga and a Positive Alignment Ansusara Workshop at The Breathing Space on Friday, 30 November and Sunday, December 2 respectively. 

Durban-born Alain began his practicing Yoga at City Yoga, Los Angeles in 2000 and quickly found the yoga mat as his place of calm and tranquillity. Having discovered the physical and emotional body, through his acting and movement training Alain was able to find a practice where his martial arts training could come together seamlessly with his yoga practices.

Alain has had the privileged to study with some of Los Angeles foremost yoga teachers during his time at City Yoga and completed his 200 hour Teacher Training in 2008, and began teaching yoga in 2010. Since then he has been a regular scheduled teacher at City Yoga and after 12 years in the business he is still one of Los Angeles most respected teachers, as is his studio. Alain’s training is hatha based meaning that it draws on the alignment principles of the Anusara System, the strength of a hatha practice and the steady flow of Vinyasa.

In the workshop, participants will be taught to explore the nature of postural awareness and what it means for them and their yoga practice. Whilst also deepening the understanding of the body’s me’chanics and discovery of the muscles needed to support posture, and guidance on movement both in class and in life. 

The cost for the open introductory class on Friday November 30 from 4.30pm to 5.45pm is R60 and for the positive alignment workshop on Sunday, December 2 from 10am to 1pm is R150. Booking for this workshop is essential on (031) 201-7282.