FAR at DIFF

Photos courtesy of Shane Robinson/STAR

Make sure you get to see the collection of FAR films - they are moving, powerful and thought provoking.

Congratulations to all the members of FAR who made it possible to show their films at the Durban International Film Festival last week. It was icredibly moving to see the films, to witness peoples reactions to the films and to be part of an initiative that really sprang from peoples hearts.

The debate session held on the 29th was well attended and we thank Mandla Langa for his very thoughtful moderation. We also thank Eddie Manzingane from SABC for his passionate support.

FAR will be hosting a simliar session in Johannesburg at the Tri Continental Film Festival on 15th or 16th August - watch this space for details.

FAR is happy to announce that SABC has committed to the late of films not only in terms o TX, but also assisting to get the films showing within communities and to host television debates unpacking the films. The exact nature of this will be worked out the with FAR exec and SABC next week.

FAR voted in a management commitee to help get this and the festival circuit happening for th films. The management commitee comprises: Rehad Desai, Tendeka Matatu, Don Edkins, Desiree Markgraaff and Neil Brandt.

martine and thandeka

A film about 2 women one woman from the Congo – Martine and the other woman Thandeka from Zimbabwe. Martine has 2 children she fled the Congo during the war, in south Africa she was living with family and when the Zenophobia attacks took place ( her brother was beaten badly) her and her family fled to a police station and whilst at that police station there was an attempted rape on her 15year old daughter, eventually they ended up at Tifle Range refugee camp were she has no ideas what her fate is. Thandeka is from Zimbabwe and she married a south African man and has two children. During the time of the attacks Thandeka got caught up in the furore and ended up at a police station, later to be sent to Riffle range refugee camp. When she goes to visit her husband for the first time it is clear that the husband is no longer interested in Thandeka and Thandeka is left wondering whether to go back to Zimbabwe or stay in South Africa. This film explores the vulnerability of women during very trying times.



Shoot:
Caroline Carew - producer
Xoliswa Sithole - director
Natalie Haarhoff - camera
Lebo Mawasha - sound

Angels on our shoulders

Angels on our shoulders
24 min
English, isiZulu with English subtitles

Synopsis

Out of the destruction, chaos and trauma of the recent xenophobic violence a small group of Zimbabwean teachers tries to establish some structure and healing for the displaced children and for themselves. Their approach - the establishment of the Good Hope School, situated in a double-decker bus at the Rand Airport Displacement Camp. These are victims learning from victims.

Some routine and "normalcy" begins to emerge even against the backdrop of a cramped and under-resourced environment, and discord with the Department of Education's definition of a "school".

There’s no quick fix for the underlying trauma and pain that people experienced. However, their resilience and dignity shine through in this story, told through the eyes of the children.

The mad destructiveness of random hate is breathtakingly obvious through the film, without a single image of physical violence.

Producer/Director: Andy Spitz
Production: Left-Eye Productions