Father Geek is really happy right now, not only did I just see one really Kick Ass SHAFT motion picture, but I come home to find this simply great 1st report from Dr. SOTHA for our NEW regular Friday morning Africa-AICN column. Now a few months ago I started up the Euro-AICN Monday morning reports and I knew that that would find an audience and really take off, then came Asia followed by our Latin American columns, but to tell the truth I never ever thought that we would ever have a weekly column devoted to the Film Industry of Africa. So when Dr. SOTHA contacted me last week I jumped for joy. Some great movies have come out of this continent in the past especially Egypt and Algeria, so I'm hoping this finds it audience and we can expose you to more films like THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, WHITE FARM BLACK LAND, and A LONG NIGHT'S JOURNEY INTO DAY in the coming months. Now on to Dr. SOTHA...
Africa-AICN #1
Just when you thought all of earth was covered, along comes Africa to stand
up and be counted. Thanks to fathergeek for giving us third-worlders a
chance to give you a glimpse as to what cool projects are out there on the
dark continent. I'll need help from all those Africans out there working in
the industry, I am your pedestal, so get off your ass and e-mail me at
AfricaAICN@hotmail.com Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal,
Tunisia,etc... you know who you are. Just to give everyone a brief backstory
My headquarters are in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our film industry is
still searching for its own identity. For a good twenty years we've been
raised on Hollywood fare (which isn't an entirely bad thing), but it seems
to have left the industry in a sort of comfort zone, but as more filmmakers
look to find their own voice on these shores, the closer we get to
establishing this country as a major film force. "Gladiator" has been the
major box-office success here (no surprise there) and with good reason.
Here's to hoping more quality African films break into the top 10. Now on to
my first weekly roundup. Sit. Relax. and take in the medication from DR.
SOTHA.
SOUTH AFRICA
Just when you thought all of earth was covered, along comes Africa to stand
up and be counted. Thanks to fathergeek for giving us third-worlders a
chance to give you a glimpse as to what cool projects are out there on the
dark continent. I'll need help from all those Africans out there working in
the industry, I am your pedestal, so get off your ass and e-mail me at
AfricaAICN@hotmail.com Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal,
Tunisia,etc... you know who you are. Just to give everyone a brief backstory
My headquarters are in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our film industry is
still searching for its own identity. For a good twenty years we've been
raised on Hollywood fare (which isn't an entirely bad thing), but it seems
to have left the industry in a sort of comfort zone, but as more filmmakers
look to find their own voice on these shores, the closer we get to
establishing this country as a major film force. "Gladiator" has been the
major box-office success here (no surprise there) and with good reason.
Here's to hoping more quality African films break into the top 10. Now on to
my first weekly roundup. Sit. Relax. and take in the medication from DR.
SOTHA.
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH AFRICA
* Gangs and Dancers produced by Blue Isle Motion Pictures, written and directed by James Ryan depicts the harsh gang violence of the Cape Flats in Cape Town and the illuminating sensuality of Ballroom and Latin American dance. London music producer Andrea Gottard will be composing the score. Think Tamahori's "Once Were Warriors" meets Luhrman's "Strictly Ballroom"
* Darrel Roodt (Sarafina, Dangerous Ground, Cry the Beloved Country) is shooting "Second Skin" in Cape Town, South Africa for Canada's Alliance Entertainment. Natasha Henstridge (Species), Peter Fonda and Angus Macfayden (Cradle will Rock) are all set to star. It's a story about a man with skeletons in the closet, who is provoked into opening this closet by a mysterious stranger. Sleeping with the Enemy anyone?
*Roodt will follow that up with a project called "Dog Soldiers" said to be about two men, who used to be brothers in arms, but now face each other on opposite sides of the law. Think a black version of "Heat". Roodt is reportedly looking towards Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington to play the leads (Good Luck).
* Christobel Krusen is directing "The Final Solution" produced by Gary Wheeler in and around Stellenbosch.
* David Lister (Soweto Green, Trigger Fast) is directing "Dazzle" produced by Paul Mathews for Peakviewing Film Productions.
*Ingrid Sinclair (Flame) and Emanuel Oberg are prepping "The Captain" which is a recreation of the Rwanda crisis of 94, when warring Tsutsi's and Hutus waged a bloody war against each other. A UN Captain and a Canadian AIDS worker take it upon themselves to save as many innocent lives as they can. Think Winterbottem's "Welcome to Sarajevo" meets Stone's "Salvador". Zimmedia is producing.
* Nu-Image are getting ready to start production on "Shark 11" (after a successful 10 sequels - Dr. Sotha) with David Worth directing and Marlow de Mardt and Brigid Olën producing. Think a B-movie version of Deep Blue Sea (wait wasn't that a B-movie to begin with?).
* ...And if you didn't already know, director Ridley Scott has accepted the resignations of the three people in his production company responsible for placing an ad in Shoot magazine promoting SA as a production venue. The ad showed a large close-up of an ageing black woman's breasts with the words "In South Africa, this is what SAG means". The ad, which has been deemed racist and sexist, was a dig at the strike being held by the US Screen Actors' Guild (SAG). Scott maintains that he had no advance knowledge of the ad and in a statement last week, said that he was "sickened and appalled" by the ad.
* "University of Criminals" is a documentary about notorious gangsters in Alexandra (a township in South Africa). Kollision Productions finances, Lentsoe Serote directs.
* White Farm Black Land is a documentary that is pretty much self-explanatory. Formerly titled Banana Tourists, the timing is pretty eerie on this one, bearing in mind as to what's happening in Zimbabwe. France's Canal + / Dominant 7 and Icon Entertainment (presumably Mel Gibson's company - they're also doing a doc on Manchester United football club - they picked the wrong team, speaking as a completely neutral Liverpool fan). Aldo Lee directs.
* "Pressure" is a Luiz De Barros film, shooting in South Africa for Underdog Productions.
* "The Long Walk to Freedom" a.ka The Nelson Mandela story seems to be stuck in pre-production hell. Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth, Bandit Queen) is still attached to direct, but they'll have to wait till after he's done with Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera". Morgan Freeman is still the favourite to play Mandela and Anant Singh (The Mangler) will produce. If this goes ahead it'll be the biggest film undertaken in Africa with a budget reportedly at the $40m mark.
* Athos Kyriakides (The Domino Effect) is shooting an experimental existential drama on digital called "Sublime". The story is said to revolve around 4 vignettes, exploring the human psyche of each character through stream of consciousness devices (2 words - Paul Morissey). L&L Productions is financing.
* Although this may seem like tinseltown news, Charlize Theron is in fact South African, and deserves a mention as to what her current slate looks like. She just attended Cannes to promote her new film "The Yards"(if it's anything like "Little Odessa" I'll be happy), "Sweet November" teaming her up again with Keeunu Reeves, she'll be seen this fall (our Summer) opposite Matt Damon and Will Smith in "The Legend of Bagger Vance". Finally, she's also in "Navy Diver" with Bobby De Niro. Busy girl, our Charlize. She has expressed interest to one day shoot a film in South Africa (idle chat I tell you).
* .And now a look at our secong biggest export Embeth Davitz (Schindler's List, Gingerbread Man). Having starred in Chris Columbuses "Bicentenial Man", she then finished a British film with Ian Holm called "Simon Magus" (not sure if this one's out in the USA yet?). Rumors are abuzz that she may be in Altman's next film after he wraps up "Dr. T and the Woman".
* The real success story this year has been the success of the South African Documentary "A Long Night's Journey into Day" which won the peace film award at Berlin and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Deborah Hoffmann and Francis Reid, it was picked up and given a decent theatrical release in North America. Send me your thoughts on it.
* The South African International Documentary Film festival opens its doors on the 18th June and ends on the 1st of July. This years docs include a handful from Holland, Switzerland, France and Zimbabwe (if anyone attends, forward your reviews to Euro-Aicn) More info is right here .
NORTH AFRICA
* Zanzibar Film Fest. The Festival of the Dhow Countries, organised by the Zanzibar International Film Festival, celebrates the cultures and arts of the African Continent, India, Pakistan, Iran, the Gulf States and the Indian Ocean Islands. The Festival, which will take place from 30 June to 9 July, aims to make the arts accessible to the people of Zanzibar and the region, hence as well as low-cost admissions for events in town, there will be a travelling Village. Included in the Film Programme are John Badenhorst's Slavery of Love (SA) and John Ribber's Yellow Card (Zimbabwe). For more info visit the festival site. (Send me your reviews - Dr. Sotha)
* Sembene's latest premiered Faat Kine, the latest film from acclaimed Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene was premiered on 26 May in Dakar in an event sponsored by the Conseil Senegalais des Femmes (COSEF). Sembene's first film on video, a 13 minute feature entitled Heroisme Au Quotidien, was also premiered on the same day.
* "Desert" set to start lensing in Namibia and Tunisia is directed by Maciej Dutiekowycz (Fuks - an interesting crime caper worth a look - Dr. Sotha). Financed by the Shooting Party and produced by Desiree Markgraaff and Waldemar Dziki.
* The 6th African Film festival takes place in New York and showcases some of the finest African feature films and documentaries. One of the focuses is "African woman in the media - from Griot to filmmaker". There is also a tribute to one of Africa's greatest cinema pioneers Djibril Diop who sadly passed away in 98. The festival runs from the 3-10 June. (Send me your reviews and give me the opportunity to post them). Get more info at their Web Site .
* "ADWA : An African victory" directed by Ethiopian film director Haile Gerima was screened at the Brooklyn Academy a few days ago and had its West Coast premiere in San Francisco a few weeks ago.This film captures the independence and determination of the Ethiopian people. In response to the "Scramble for Africa," or carving up of the African continent by European colonizers following the infamous Berlin Conference of 1880, Ethiopians from all provinces and ethnic groups unified to defend their homeland from an Italian takeover. No one expected the Ethiopian army to successfully fight the well-trained and armed Italian army. This event rekindled the fighting spirit among all Africans in the world, then under one or another form of Pan-European subjugation. The victory helped inspire the Garvey movement in the Americas and Pan-Africanism around the world as demonstrated by the convening of the first Pan-African Congress in London and formation of early African nationalism and independence movements in Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa and elsewhere. I his own words, Haile joins the voices of Ethiopian historians elders, priests, poets, and singers, capturing on film the education and experience that shaped his consciousness. In a collage of Ethiopian experience that shaped his consciousness. In a collage of Ethiopian landscapes, paintings, photographs and faces, the film illuminates one of the hidden sources of African empowerment. It is playing at the Victoria theatre on 16th Street, San Francisco. I urge anyone who is in the area to check it out.
COAXIAL AFRICA
* News of a coaxial nature - Both Worlds International (South Africa), the creators of a game show called Showdown, are about to conclude option deals on the format rights to Sweden, Denmark and the UK. It's a big money game show, with even more prize money at stake then "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" It involves a 'cash mountain' where a champion is under constant threat from a challenger. The deals were put together at Cannes.
* Cotton Road TV, a South African based television company, has been awarded a contract by international broadcaster Carlton Select. The six half hour programmes focus on traditional as well as international cuisine of the Cape, and will be produced for the Carlton Food Channel.
* Diamond Hunters is a T.V drama in production to be syndicated world-wide, is directed by Dennis Berry(T.V veteran - he helmed several of the Highlander series). Alyssa Milano and Roy Scneider (he of Jaws fame) star. Diamond Hunters takes place in Africa, and is about (you guessed it) Diamond hunters.
* Wild Quest and Imagework Production is a 13 half hour wild life documentary series to be realeased internationally by Southern Star. Directed by Anthony Irving. It is currently lensing in Southern and central Africa.
