Captivating cinema lovers.Plaudits for 46th Durban International Film Festival
Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts is continuing the 46th Durban International Film Festival, an 11-day programme featuring nearly 100 screenings at various venues across Durban from July 17 to July 27.
The Durban International Film Festival, established during the oppressive era of apartheid, stands as a powerful testament to South Africa’s Constitutional Democracy and the importance of freedom of expression and creativity. Despite facing significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has unwaveringly persevered in its mission to celebrate cinema.
Centre for Creative Arts Director, Dr Ismail Mahomed praised his team for their vision and dedication, saying, “Organising an annual festival of this scale requires extensive planning and logistics. At the Centre for Creative Arts, we are proud to have created around 15-year-long opportunities for young graduates through our Emerging Arts Managers programme. Many of our interns gain valuable skills and successfully enter the industry or start their own businesses, often returning to work with us as service providers.”
The festival opened with the captivating film, LUCKY FISH which delves into the amusing tale of a businessman, Sanjay Pillay who is under huge pressure caused by his struggling pilchards canning factory as well as the looming threat created by his loan. Following a chance encounter, he has with aspiring beauty pageant contestants he gets the idea of staging Mr Pillay’s Pilchards Beauty Competition which he believes has the potential to draw a crowd and perhaps change his fortunes.
A stellar cast led by Zenobia Kloppers, renowned for her award-winning performance in the internationally acclaimed film Fiela Se Kind, featured celebrated actors such as Mayuri Naidu, Mehboob Bawaa, Jailoshni Naidu, Jack Devnarain, Carishma Basday, and Siyasanga Papu.
Young actors have also impressed, including Mekalia Mathys, Hermione Reddy and Kathleen Stephens, with Kiroshan Naidoo sharing his experience of returning to familiar settings as he films in eThekwini.
Young graduate Leah Mari, who was excited about her second filming experience in the city of her upbringing, praised the supportive ensemble and the enriching camaraderie that developed throughout the shoot. With themes centred around community, positive body image, and family, Mari believes the film is resonating with audiences.
The film, which encourages families to gather for a shared viewing experience, aims to convey that true beauty radiates from within. Producer Luke Rous affectionately describes it as a love letter to Durban, to quirky families and to those who have ever felt out of place.
The festival’s opening film Lucky Fish showcased the vibrant culture, immense talent, and unique stories within South Africa’s film industry, while the closing night’s show, PROMISED SKY will surpass expectations. Borrowing its title from the evocative song by the France-based band, Delgres, the film’s narrative thoughtfully explores the emotional chasm between dreams and reality faced by many migrants. Directed by the talented French Tunisian filmmaker, Ms Erige Sehiri, who has received significant acclaim for her prior works, this film will surely leave lasting impressions.
The festival’s Programming Head and DIFF Manager, Andrea Voges, was praised by Mahomed for her boldness, courage, and clear strategy in returning the festival to the live space - also congratulating her for being listed by Screen International as one of the top 25 young film programmers from around the world after last year’s DIFF.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied