August 12, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
SOUTH Africa's first-ever Awakening Film Festival kicked off on Thursday 12 August at MuseuMAfrica in Newtown with the premier of "Dilemma 1962", an adaptation of a Nadine Gordimer novel secretly filmed in Johannesburg in the 1960s.
Based on the award-winning "A World of Strangers", which tells the story of a young immigrant's shocking introduction to the horrors of apartheid, "Dilemma 62" is one of many first-time screenings at the festival, which explores the themes of heritage and democracy.
Presented by the Film Resource Unit, the festival, which runs until 26 August, will see the screening of a mix of 36 South African short films features and documentaries.
"The Awakening Film Festival is so called because we believe this programme of films will evoke powerful memories of the past and stimulate imagination of possible futures," said Film Resource Unit CEO, Mike Dearham.
"Film is a powerful form of cultural expression. It defines world views and shapes the way we perceive ourselves," said Dearham. "The awakening is a call to conscious engagement with modern storytellers - our filmmakers."
Filmmakers such as Norman Maake, John Matshikiza, Jonathan de Vries and Bridget Thompson will hold talks before the screenings and will be available afterwards for discussions.
There will be three screenings each day: at 2pm, 5.30pm and 8pm. Tickets are available at the door at R10 per person.
The new Film Resource Unit catalogue, with a comprehensive list of South African films, will also be distributed during the festival. The catalogue, which has a foreword from the minister of arts and culture, Dr Pallo Jordan, will be distributed to educational institutions, cultural institutions, embassies and government departments, both locally and internationally, and can be bought from the Film Resource Unit offices in Newtown for R50.
During the festival. there will be three Vuka! Sessions held at the Couch and Coffee Café in Newtown. Discussions will focus on the development of the arts and film over the past 10 years.
For screening times and information about the films, log onto www.fru.co.za/awakening
If you're in the area, why not broaden your horizons and take in an international exhibition honouring peace builders? It's on at MuseuMAfrica and runs until 19 August.
The exhibition, opened by Dr Lawrence E. Carter, honours the achievements of South Africans who fought for human rights, including Nobel laureates Chief Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, as well as Matthew Goniwe, Amina Cachaila, Steve Biko, Lillian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph.
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