DIFF Opening Night a Great Success

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There was praise all round for the opening night of the 37^th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) which featured the world premiere screening of the highly anticipated South African documentary, The Journeymen - the latest instalment in the Twenty Journey project.

DIFF is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) within UKZN’s College of Humanities.

The Journeymen is set in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death.

The film chronicles the free-wheeling journey through South Africa of three photographers - Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus de Wet - to explore the current state of South Africa with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests. 

At the screening, Director Metelerkamp said: ‘The film is made with technology that is widely accessible and is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative. We hope that this collaboration kickstarts conversations and interactions.

‘Our film also features a chance encounter with Sam Nzima, who photographed Hector Pietersen. We can’t think of a better way to honour Youth Day than to share our film with the country.’

DIFF Acting Director Mr Peter Machen said: ‘For the 40^th anniversary of June 16, we are thrilled to be screening The Journeymen because it showcases an honest, loving portrait of South Africa.’

eThekwini Councillor Mr Logie Naidoo added: ‘The Film Festival has grown in leaps and bounds and I am happy to see The Journeymen and the other movies selected that actually reflect South Africa.’

The Durban International Film Festival, which runs until 26 June, includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme in co-operation with the Berlin Talent Campus, and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market in partnership with the Durban Film Office.

For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za or follow our social media pages on #DIFF2016  @DIFFest

Melissa Mungroo