Monday Night Film Screenings – August 2023

AFDA Johannesburg, SACOMM Conference Host 2023

In the run-up towards the annual SACOMM Conference in September, in partnership with Goethe Institut, AFDA Johannesburg is hosting free film screenings on each Monday evening. Ample, safe, on campus parking is available during the screenings. All the productions that will be screened during the month of August will be accompanied by discussions and debate.

Monday, 07.08.2023This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection is a 2019 Mosotho drama film directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese and co-produced by Cait Pansegrouw and Elias Ribeiro.The film stars Mary Twala Mhlongo, with Jerry Mofokeng Wa, Makhaola Ndebele, Tseko Monaheng and Siphiwe Nzima-Ntskhe in supporting roles.

It was selected as the Lesotho entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. It was the first time Lesotho had made a submission in the category. The film received positive reviews from critics and was screened at several international film festivals.

Mantoa, an 80-year old widow, is preparing for the end by arranging her own funeral and bidding farewell to worldly affairs. However, her homeland is being converted into a dam and the residents must be resettled.

PLEASE NOTE: This screening is being held, organised and led by AFDA JHB Honours students who will also be selling refreshments to raise funds for their upcoming graduation production.

Monday, 14.08.2023Atlantics (French: Atlantique) is a 2019 internationally co-produced supernatural romantic drama film directed by Mati Diop, in her feature directorial debut.It was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Diop made history when the film premiered at Cannes, becoming the first Black woman to direct a film featured in competition at the festival.

The film is centred around a young woman, Ada, and her partner, Souleiman, struggling in the face of employment, class, migration, crime, family struggles, and ghosts. Working mostly with unknown actors, Diop focused in the film on issues such as the refugee crisis, remorse, loss, grief, class struggle, and taking responsibility (or not) of one’s actions.The Atlantic Ocean is used in many ways throughout the film, including as a symbol and engine for change, growth, life, and death.

Monday, 21.08.2023Elelwani is a 2012 South African drama film directed by Ntshavheni wa Luruli.It won awards for Achievement in Production Design and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Masebe at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards. It was selected as the South African entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards.

Elelwani and her boyfriend are in love and have plans to spend the rest of their lives together. They are both educated and live urban lives with aspirations to travel abroad. After her university graduation Elelwani returns to her family in the rural countryside to introduce her boyfriend and announce her future plans. But the weight of tradition bears heavily on her family and they refuse to accept her union. The father wants his daughter to become the wife of the local king despite his daughter’s insistent refusal. What unfolds is a secret hidden by the royal family from the community and Elelwani is destined to uncover these mysteries and deceptions.

PLEASE NOTE: Ntsahveni wa Luruli will be present for the screening and discussion.

Monday, 28.08.2023City of Men (Portuguese: Cidade dos Homens) is a 2007 drama film directed by Paulo Morelli. The screenplay was written by Elena Soarez, based on a story by Morelli and Soarez. It is a film version of the TV series Cidade dos Homens that ran for four seasons in Brazil following the international success of the film City of God (2002); both directed by producer Fernando Meirelles.

Best friends Acerola (“Ace”) and Laranjinha (“Wallace”) live in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and have been raised without their fathers. They are turning eighteen as a war between rival drug gangs begins around them. Wallace, with Ace’s help, gets to meet his father, Heraldo, in person, a parolee living not very far away, only to witness the police arrest of his father a few days after. Wallace and Ace discover that their fathers were best friends, but Heraldo killed Ace’s father in a robbery incident. Each discovers things about his missing father that could potentially compromise their solid friendship. At the end, they decide to leave “the Hill” and lead a responsible life.

All Screenings start at 17:30 and is hosted in L1 at
AFDA Johannesburg, 41 Frost Avenue, 2092 Auckland Park.