DIFF2014
What Was Happening When
1980 – Run For Your Life
While out on a cross-country run in unfamiliar territory, two friends stumble upon an illegal drug operation in the woods. Soon taken hostage by the notorious drug-lord, they face the threat of becoming drug slaves themselves. Forced to work the plantation for the man known as “Cobra”, the two friends will have to rely on one another and use their wits if they wish to defeat the armed guards holding them captive.
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
10 of our Restored Movie Trailers
What Was Happening When
1980 – Impango
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
Our 10 LATEST Film Trailers!
What Was Happening When
1980 – Upondo No Nkinsela
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
Our Favourite Tweets! #Spreadthelove
10 Reasons Why We Inspire Filmmakers Today #retroafrika #berlin @Berlinale http://t.co/u2g8LLfsMR pic.twitter.com/RSvGERqyZ2
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) February 16, 2015
Can you believe we had to turn away audiences in Berlin! They loved umbango + joe bullet!! #retroafrika pic.twitter.com/qdfDmLBiYX
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) February 10, 2015
We’re going to Berlin for the @berlinale !!! #retroafrika #filmhistory #cool #tgif #february #photography pic.twitter.com/w3VVeMijMy
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) January 30, 2015
In the studio working hard! 😛 #retroafrika #southafrica #gravelroad #capetown #southafrica http://t.co/jThtArCbET pic.twitter.com/2uhx24STCx
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) December 17, 2014
Spot our “Trompie” DVD at Musica V&A Waterfront NOW, only R99.99!! #retroafrika #summer #christmas #giftingideas pic.twitter.com/0UewH58P0T
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) December 17, 2014
R99.99 at #Musica #southafrica!! Also available on our website http://t.co/jThtArCbET #retroafrika #retweet pic.twitter.com/YzkgUApHnM
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) December 1, 2014
Retro Afrika Happenings in the Months to Come #retroafrika #vintage #films #epic #lumiere2014 #berlin #filmfestival… http://t.co/C2RamB7aFF
— Tamika Doubell (@TamikaDoubell) October 20, 2014
@JoeBulletMovie cast in the 70’s #thursdaythrowback #RetroAfrika pic.twitter.com/nkRHdrFsNz
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) September 4, 2014
We making it to New York Times read about us #DIFF2014 #RetroAfrika Honoring a Filmmaker in the Shadow of Apartheid http://t.co/7y0lmW19sV
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) July 30, 2014
At the press conference for The Mayibuye Film Festival right now in #johannesburg #retroafrika @Official_SABC1 pic.twitter.com/bg8wSSTSSa
— RetroAfrikaBioscope (@RetroAfrika) April 10, 2014
A Short (Cool) History of South African Cinema
+ During the 1910s and 1920s, many South African films were made in or around Durban. These films often made use of the dramatic scenery available in rural KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the Drakensberg region.
+ KwaZulu-Natal was also served as the appropriate location for historical films such as De Voortrekkers (1916) and The Symbol of Sacrifice (1918)
+ Sarie Marais, the first Afrikaans-language sound film, was released in 1931. Subsequent sound releases such as Die Wildsboudjie(1948), a 1949 Sarie Marais remake, and Daar doer in die bosveld (1950) continued to cater primarily to white, Afrikaans-speaking audiences.
+ The 1950s saw an increased use of South African locations and talent by international filmmakers. British co-productions like Coast of Skeletons (1956) and American co-productions like The Cape Town Affair (1957) reflected the a growing trend of shooting in real locations, rather than using backlots.
Recently In The News
Presenting lost Vintage African Movies to new generation of cinema lovers.
Local Filmmaker Honoured
TygerBurger
By Louisa Steyl
http://www.tygerburger.co.za/188416/news-details/local-filmmaker-honoured-
South African company to exhibit at the Lumiere Grand Lyon Film Festival
Cape Town initiative to restore old films
SABC Online
2014-08-24 09:00
Honoring a Filmmaker in the Shadow of Apartheid
Afrikaanse Prente Herleef
http://www.kougaexpress.co.za/170548/news-details/afrikaanse-prente-herleef
Silwerskerm Film Festival Screens “Trompie”
The Silwerskerm Film Festival is an annual gathering for mostly Afrikaans filmmakers. It’s a 4-day marathon which showcases the best new South African films at the kykNET Silwerskermfees. The festival is predominantly Afrikaans, but English stand-outs like the Durban International Film Festival award-winning “Durban Poison” was also screened.
In addition to the feature films, the end results of a competition that develops script ideas from first-time filmmakers of all ages were screened. This isn’t just a film festival that showcases the best of the best. It nurtures new talent and gives it a valuable platform.
One of our more recently restored films, “Trompie”, was also screened at the venue. Directed by legendary Tonie van der Merwe in the 70’s, about 15-30 people in the room watched as a digitally remastered version of a South African classic was screened. “Trompie” is a compact, highly enjoyable and kinetic comedy feature.
“Trompie” also has some well-crafted English subtitles for non-Afrikaans audience.