BigFish Digital School of Film Making employs award-winning professionals, has been recognised for its ground breaking training initiatives, and recently received a Platinum Award from the Minister of Arts and Culture in recognition of its work. LittlePond is a production trust set up to mentor former BigFish students’ productions. Together they bridge the socioeconomic divide by providing access to training, and mentoring to those who are keen to develop a new genre of young, socially responsible filmmakers.”
Dr. Melanie Chait. Director, BigFish; Executive Producer LittlePond
Courtesy of Little Pond Production Trust
All the following films screen together.
30 Seconds
South Africa 2008 6min
Kekeletso Khena
Based around the staggering statistic that every 30 seconds a woman is raped in South Africa, this deftly-crafted student film approaches the subject from the point of a lesbian couple. Despite prejudice against their sexuality, Erin and Lebo are carefree and in love until a jealous male bigot with his own eye on Erin rips their joy asunder.
Jhb Sat 21/ 4pm + Q&A Fri 27 / 10:15pm
CT Sat 5 / 4pm
The Beneficiary
South Africa 2008 7min Sotho with English subtitles
Themba Monare
Matukisi Motloung was brought up in dire poverty and although through the hardship she made sacrifi ces to survive, she never resorted to crime. Her son, Mateki, has been given everything she can aff ord. But this is not good enough, and with no jobs on off er and no prospects, he has resorted to crime to aff ord the trappings he aspires to. A heart rending film showing the personal toll taken on a mother who is deeply ashamed of her son’s criminal choices and lacks the ability to do anything about them.
Jhb Sat 21/ 4pm + Q&A Fri 27 / 10:15pm
CT Sat 5 / 4pm
God Loves Sinners
South Africa 2007 22min Tswana, Xhosa, Zulu with English subtitles
Nami Mhlongo
In 2007, the deaths of four lesbians made headlines. Sizakele Sigasa, Salome Massima, Thokozane Qwabe and Simangele Nhlapo, whose two-year-old daughter was raped and murdered alongside her, were all victims of hate crimes. Despite a Constitution which supports diversity, homophobia is a vicious reality in South Africa. Nomonde Mafunda and Tumi Ndweni, live and love in a community where being lesbian is sometimes seen as “unGodly” and “unAfrican”, yet fi nd surprising pockets of support amongst their family and friends.
Jhb Sat 21/ 4pm + Q&A Fri 27 / 10:15pm
CT Sat 5 / 4pm
Kabelo’s Zeroid Xpress
South Africa 2008 13min Tswana, Zulu, Venda with English subtitles
Thapelo Maleka
Led by Kabelo Khalid Mkwanazi, the four-member Zeroid Xpress is a hip hop band with a diff erence. Drawing their inspiration from Venda and Tsetswana cultures, current aff airs and Islamic literature they make no bones about the fact that they have no rhythm and there is no way to dance to their music. Their aim is for people to listen, hear the message, and be inspired by truth. This is an honest portrayal of artists struggling for recognition and using whatever means necessary and without selling out to commercial interests, they prefer to “stay underground, to keep it real.”
Jhb Sat 21/ 4pm + Q&A Fri 27 / 10:15pm
CT Sat 5 / 4pm
“Spiderman” and Romeo
South Africa 2007 8min Zulu with English subtitles
Sifi so Khanyile
Train surfing’s cool, balancing precariously on top of speeding railway carriages, dodging electric cables and iron pylons, it’s the ultimate urban rush. Romeo used to be a train surfer until his best friend was killed. Now he’s a Metro Rail Safety Ambassador who tells teenagers about the dangers of fooling around on trains. He speaks of how “I had the world in my hands”, but also of the sadness he experienced after his friend died. “You are not Spiderman,” he warns youngsters.
Jhb Sat 21/ 4pm + Q&A Fri 27 / 10:15pm
CT Sat 5 / 4pm