African footprint at 29th Durban International Film Festival

Under the banner, "Love Film, Hate Xenophobia," the festival will present films such as Darrell James Roodt's, "Zimbabwe," which looks at the arduous journey a young woman makes from Zimbabwe to South Africa; Penny Woolcock's, "Exodus" which imagines a near-future England in which foreigners are incarcerated in a ghetto; the moving Canadian film "Family Motel" about Somalian refugees; "Victims of Our Richness," which dissects the exploitation and brutality experienced by desperate Malian migrants; and a selection of specially commissioned films under the banner "Filmmakers Against Racism" made specifically about the xenophobic attacks.

Festival director, Peter Rorvik explains: “The Durban International Film Festival opens a window on the world, provides access to many different cultures and provides a space in which the cinematic art form transcends national boundaries. The recent tragic events in South Africa give cause to highlight what has long been a central idea of the Durban International Film Festival: to create understanding and acceptance of different cultures through the medium of film. A special programme of films focuses on the issue of xenophobia, and some of its attendant roots such as racism, migration and poverty.”

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The festival will open with the African premiere of Ralph Ziman's, "Jerusalema," a gritty gangster thriller set on the harsh streets of Johannesburg and will close with Mike Leigh's uplifting new comedy, "Happy-Go-Lucky."

The festival will once again shine a spotlight on the cinema of Africa under the African Perspectives theme, presenting the world premieres of "Nothing But The Truth" by John Kani, which is based on his popular play; "My Black Little Heart" by Durban's Claire Angelique, a dark look at Durban's underbelly; and "uMalusi," directed by Mlandu Sikwebu and produced and shot by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka. Following successful screenings in Toronto and London, DIFF will present the African premiere of Shamim Sarif's "The World Unseen." Other South African films include "Land Of Thirst," directed by Meg Rickards and produced by Durban 's Vuleka Productions; the Ugandan-South African co-production Divizionz, directed by Yes! That's Us; "The Bird Can't Fly," a Dutch-South African co-production directed by Anna Threes; the satirical animation, "Tengers" by Michael Rix; Darrell James Roodt's "Zimbabwe;" and Michael Raeburn's much-anticipated "Triomf," a controversial take on Marlene Van Niekerk's acclaimed novel.

An especially strong documentary selection at the festival includes a focus on environmental and economic issues. A highlight is Lisa Merton's "Taking Root - The Vision of Wangari Maathai," about the Nobel Peace prize-winning Kenyan woman whose campaigning for a green Kenya drew sometimes vicious response from government. "Darfur - War for Water," shows how the war in Darfur is also about water. Also on the theme of water is "Flow: For the Love of Water," which focuses on how water and not oil is the flagship concern of the future.

An exciting increase in South African documentary production includes a surge of activity in the KZN region. DIFF is screening "Durban Poison," an examination of the Stable Theatre in Durban, the first independent black theatre in South Africa. KZN filmmaker Omelga Mthiyane will have three films at DIFF: "Flight Of The Dancer," "Inanda - My Heritage" and she was also co-director on "Between the Mountains and the Sea;" while Tiny Mungwe presents her debut "Akekho uGogo." DIFF will also highlight "KwaMashu - Still My Home," directed by UK-based Owen ‘Alik' Shahadah and produced by Edmond Mhlongo of K-Cap Productions; and Marc le Chat's "Stimela - The Search for the Missing Chord," produced by Mandle Ndimande.

As the films unspool, a group of young African filmmakers will participate in Talent Campus Durban, an intensive five-day programme of workshops held in co-operation with the Berlinale Talent Campus which forms part of the Berlin International Film Festival. Under the theme “Producing African Cinema for a New World ”, participants will benefit from both theoretical and practical approaches that enhance their cinematographic and creative experience. The overall objective is to empower a new generation of African filmmakers. In this period of social unrest wrongly targeting “foreigners” the Talent Campus Durban, with its 40 participants representing 19 countries, can demonstrate the art of African collaboration in action and celebrate the creative strength of diversity.

One of the highlights will be the Ousmane Sembene Retrospective, a presentation of all the major works of the late, great father of African cinema.

Full festival details found on www.cca.ukzn.ac.za.