This year’s Encounters SA International Documentary Festival is set to stir up controversy as it flights documentaries which tackle contentious issues such as anti-Semitism and the effects of conscription on the conscripted and their victims.
The line-up features 40 documentary films covering a myriad of issues such as women’s rights, history and politics from local and international film makers and includes the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning animated documentary, Waltz with Bashir.
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Mandisa Zitha, Encounters Festival Director, says, “Conscription is as entrenched in the South African apartheid history as anti-apartheid activism and the lasting effects it had on South African men and their families is still evident today – but it remains a little explored part of our past. Waltz with Bashir is an animated film which delves into the minds of Israeli ex-conscripts who battle with the psychological effects of the 1982 Lebanon War.”
Encounters will be hosting panel discussions following the screening of Waltz with Bashir. Zitha says, “We are sure that our panel members will drive a vigorous debate. This film is not just about conscription. It raises questions about being a cog in the machine of war, from conscript to victim. The panel includes Andries Botha, artist and ex SADF conscript, members of Physicians for Human Rights and apartheid activist and former detainee Shirley Gunn.”
Perhaps even more explosive is Defamation, a film by Israeli director Yoav Shamir which explores the existence of anti-Semitism today. “Like all forms of discrimination, anti–Semitism, remains a universally relevant subject. We are very fortunate that Yoav Shamir will be in South Africa to talk about his documentary and he will engage in 2 public discussions moderated by Nathan Geffen and Shelagh Gastrow,” says Mandisa Zitha.
Daughter of Spirits Mother of Mine is a locally produced film that reveals the challenges faced by traditional healers / sangomas and their families. The call of the ancestors is not always a blessing nor a gift. A panel of sangomas will talk about the challenges that they have faced in treading the path chosen for them.
“The Encounters Festival remains as cosmopolitan and socially relevant as it was at inception 11 years ago. We are very fortunate to have film makers who have the courage to capture stories that would otherwise remain untold. The festival is more than a celebration of cinematic ingenuity; it is a forum for debating relevant socio-political issues and the lessons we may learn from meshing different ideas from all parts of the world,” adds Zitha.
The 2009 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival starts will run from 2 – 19 July at the Nu Metro V&A Waterfront.
For full program details and or booking information consult http://www.encounters.co.za/booking-details.html
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The Sponsors of the Encounters festival are:
The National Film and Video Foundation, Cape Film Commission, Jan Vrijman Fund/IDFA, Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Vivien Cohen and the Human Elephant Foundation, the Africa Centre, French Embassy, British Council, High Commission of Canada, Business & Arts South Africa, Tempest Car Hire, Goodman Gallery, The Times, Exclusive Books, Nu Metro and Cape Town TV.
Note to editor:
Please contact Jean Dennis or Dumezulu Maphophe for full festival details and press information (media pack available on CD)
List of documentaries:
SOUTH AFRICAN FEATURES
• DAUGHTER OF SPIRITS MOTHER OF MINE
• DAWN MATTHEWS
• FOKOFPOLISIEKAR “Forgive them for they know not what they do”
• FOR WHICH I AM PREPARED TO DIE
• HEALING POWER OF NATURE
o DEEP FRIENDS
o RIVER OF ASHES
• HHP
• THE INVINCIBLES
• KENTRIDGE AND DUMAS IN CONVERSATION
• THE LAST VOYAGE
• LUNCHBOX BULLIES
• THE MANUSCRIPTS OF TIMBUKTU
• NATURE OF LIFE
• REWIND
• SEA POINT DAYS
• TRIBES AND CLANS
SOUTH AFRICAN SHORT FILMS
• JITSVINGER: MAAK IT AAN!
• THE PIONEER Of PARAGUAY
• SOUL TRAIN
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES
• AFGHAN STAR
• THE AGE OF STUPID
• BURMA VJ – REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY
• THE CHAMPAGNE SPY (MERAGEL HA-SHAMPANIYA)
• DEFAMATION HA SHMATSA
• ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
• FIERCE LIGHT: WHEN SPIRIT MEETS ACTION
• FOUR WINGS AND A PRAYER
• MUSIC FROM THE INSIDE OUT
• THE QUEEN AND I (DROTTNINGEN OCH JAG)
• RIP – A REMIX MANIFESTO
• ROUGH AUNTIES
• SACRED PLACES (LIEUX SAINTS)
• TYSON
• WALTZ WITH BASHIR (VALS IM BASHIR)
• WHO KILLED MAGGIE?
• YANDÉ CODOU, GRIOT OF SENGHOR (LA GRIOTTE DE SENGHOR)
• YOUSSOU N’DOUR: I BRING WHAT I LOVE
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS
• BRONX PRINCESS
• FREDDY ILANGA: CHE’S SWAHILI TRANSLATOR
• SLAVES (SLAVAR)
Issued by:
FD Beachhead
Jean Dennis 083 500 5302 / 021 487 9019 or jean.dennis@fd.com
Dumezulu Maphophe 082 333 4659 / 021 487 9022
dumezulu.maphophe@fd.com
