Another SA film wins international acclaim

(2005-03-14)

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The latest South African film to be shot entirely in an indigenous language, uCarmen eKhayelitsha, has won international acclaim by being awarded the Golden Bear award for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival. This follows shortly after the Zulu film, Yesterday, was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.

The Golden Bear Award, second only in prestige to the Golden Palm Award at Cannes, is especially significant for South African film, because it is the first time in 25 years that a South African movie has featured in the competition.

uCarmen eKhayelitsha was made entirely in Xhosa and is a translation of Bizet’s famous Italian opera, Carmen. The film was made by Mark Donford-May, a British director who is married to the lead actress, Pauline Malefane. Malefane also co-translated the script with assistant director Andiswa Kedema.

The movie is another stage in the booming growth of both opera and ballet that is taking place in townships around South Africa, with thousands of aspirant singers and dancers aiming for future glory at the Paris Opera or the Royal Ballet.

Since their return after the stunning win, the cast of uCarmen eKhayelitsha have been getting more recognition from local and international personalities alike. In his budget speech, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel gave the movie an honourable mention. Instead of his usual gift of fruit and trees symbolising growth, which he has given MPs in the past, he gave them each a copy of the soundtrack CD and told them that we must listen to that music and be inspired by it. Actor Danny Glover, in Cape Town on a visit, was taken on a tour of Khayelitsha by Malefane. He told the Cape Argus that people are going to have to shut him up when he gets home because he will be talking so much about the movie.

The company that made uCarmen, Dimpho Di Kopane, is currently making another film, Yiimimangaliso, The Mysteries. It includes much of the same cast as uCarmen, with Dornford-May directing. Malefane co-wrote the script of the new movie as well, and is again in the lead role. The film is a story about the life of Jesus, and it portrays Christ as a political activist in South Africa between 1971 and 2001. It is shot in Xhosa, SeSotho and English, and also has a strong musical component, this time featuring African songs.

The company hopes that Yiimimangaliso, The Mysteries, will be as successful as uCarmen eKhayelitsha. They are also hopeful that these movies will continue to drive interest in South African film amongst South Africans, especially those living in townships. This is also the dream of two companies, Shout and Mamaramba Cinema, who have started opening low cost cinemas in townships across South Africa and are planning many more by the end of the year.

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