Cameroonian Political Film Wows DIFF - By: Polly Kamukama

LE PRESIDENT (THE PRESIDENT)
Dir. Jean-Pierre Bekolo
Cameroon, Germany, 2013, 65min.

Shot in a savvy style that combines realism and fiction, the 65-minute feature is a satirical attack on President Paul Biya whose 31-year reign has come under serious international scrutiny. He is accused of abetting polarization, fueling corruption and, above all, being a punitive dictator with no compromise to opposition.

The Film Revolution Will Be Tweeted - By: Nosipho Mngoma

Although traditional media still plays an important role in film promotion, industry professionals say
one cannot dispute the power of 140 characters.

Taking part in a panel discussion to assist filmmakers harness the power of the media in distributing their films, Nilesh Singh of Videovision Entertainment observed that social media has drastically affected the way film marketing is done. “It is a different trajectory.”

The World in Three Colours - Film review THE BATTLE OF TABATO - By: Aderinsola Ajao

Title: The Battle of Tabato
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Running time: 80 min
Director: Joao Viana

In the aftermath of war, achieving peace becomes a communal effort. This comes to the fore in Joao Viana’s unique, tri-colour world portrayed in The Battle of Tabato, showing in competition at the 2013 Durban International Film Festival. Shot entirely in black and white, the film is set in the actual village of Tabato in Guinea Bissau and is spiced with local music.

The Sound of Movies - By: Nosipho Mngoma

Emotional engineering. That is how film score composer Zethu Mashika describes what he does. So when he studied engineering after high school, he was not too far off from his passion, creating the “feel” of films with music, complementing what one sees on screen.

Nairobi Half Life Editor’s Inspiring Resilience - By: Polly Kamukama

Even in developed film industries like Hollywood, female editors are still a rare species. But one Kenyan girl is determined to change the status quo.

Principally known for editing Kenya’s archetype film, Nairobi Half Life (2012, directed by David 'Tosh' Gitonga), Mkaiwawi Mwakaba a.k.a Mkay is creating a wave in East African cinema with her magic touch on the editing suit, even mentoring a number of aspiring female filmmakers in Kenya.

Mkay has not only beaten men at their game but has gone on to establish herself as one of the fastest-raising and most sought-after film editors across the East African region, yet she says it’s only the start.

Meet the Durban Talent Campus Participants: Great expectations - By: Narjes Torchani

By the second day of the Talent Campus Durban, the 37 participants, coming from all over Africa, have come to know each other better and are becoming a homogenous group. With their different profiles, they are taking their first steps into the world of film production. By attending the workshop and master classes program designed for them, and through interaction with the speakers, their minds are expanding and their projects developing. Most of them participate in a program like Talent Campus for the first time in their careers, all with their individual goals and expectations.

2 Men and a Wedding – Film review by Nosipho Mngoma

Title: 2 Men and a Wedding

Country: South Africa

Year: 2012

Running time: 51 min

Director: Sara Blecher

Africa is still largely homophobic. Homosexuality is illegal in 37 of the 54 countries on the continent. The death penalty is imposed in two and punishable with life imprisonment in three countries. South Africa is the only country with gay rights entrenched in the constitution and which allows gay marriage.Yet, lesbians are still being killed and “correctively” raped at an alarming rate.

Why the Ugandan Team Loves DIFF - By: Polly Kamukama

More than ever before, Ugandan filmmakers are looking up to international festivals to boost their careers and to network with industry players from across the world. But perhaps no film festival has enchanted Ugandans more than the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) has done. For about six years now, DIFF has not fallen short of Ugandan contingence.

Star of Nairobi Half Life Set for Directorial Debut - By: Polly Kamukama

After charming audiences with his superb performance, Nairobi Half Life star Joseph Wairimu has got his mind set on bigger things – he wants to try out script writing and directing. The Nairobi Half Life lead character Mwas, a village boy and aspiring actor-turned city thug, Wairimu has decided it is high time he sat in the director’s chair.

Durban Film Feast Begins! By: Nosipho Mngoma

South Africa’s longest running film festival, the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), is back to serve up the 34th helping this year. The hosts, University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts has laid out 300 screenings of films from around the world. Within this mouth watering mix is the pungent aroma of local flavor with 12 South African feature films, 16 documentaries and a generous helping of provocative short films. Most anticipated was the opening night film, Of Good Report. Unfortunately it was not shown because the SA Film and Publications Board (FPB) refused its classification as it allegedly contains a scene which constitutes child pornography. Last night would have been its world premiere.

Of Poor Report - By: Matt Vend

Lights, camera, action! The allure of the movies, glitz and glamour and all the swagger of Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp, this is the side of the film industry most people know and look up to. Having many friends involved in film making in South Africa and Durban has brought me to believe that certain individuals within it are trying their utmost to not conform to the façade of mainstream 1st world cinema, but are carving their own paths. One that is unique, original and tenacious. I am no film expert but my relationship with various people involved within the Durban and South African film industry has led me to believe these notions to be true in some instances, however not all. All we have to do is look at recent examples such as District 9 or Tsotsi to acknowledge that South Africa is starting to become an international player in film and other art forms.

OPENING NIGHT FILM OF THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REFUSED SCREENING BY THE FILM AND PUBLICATION BOARD

Durban: South Africa: July 18, 2013: The opening night film of the 34^th Durban International Film Festival, the much-anticipated film noir Of Good Report, directed by Jahmil XT Qubeka was refused classification by the Film and Publication Board, and as such the festival was unable to screen it.