New York
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 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
Stories from NYC
Gravel Road CEO was recently up in New York for the screening of “Joe Bullet” – our restored South African film which was banned in the 70’s. Here are some photos of his time here and how he rocked New York an L.A. in proudly South African style!
Joe Bullet’s North American Debut!
For film aficionados of all stripes, one of the highlights of each fall season in New York City is undoubtedly the Museum of Modern Art’s “To Save and Project,” its annual festival of film preservation, running October 24 through November 22.
– http://www.blouinartinfo.com/
Joe Bullet screened at New York MoMA’S “To Save + Project” Film Festival this weekend, with much success! Read more about the festival on this awesome website.
MOMA Screening of Joe Bullet
In New York this month, “Joe Bullet” is screening at the MoMA Museum of Modern Art. The screening will take place on the 8th + 13th of November.
Join our Facebook page here.
Read more about the MoMA “To Save and Project” Film Festival here.
Fast Facts about Joe Bullet
+ Stars: Ken Gampu, Abigail Kubeka, Joe Lopez, Jimmy Sabe, Cocky Tlholthalemaje,Matthew Molete, Sidney Charma
+ Genre: Action, Blaxploitation
+ Directed By: Louis de Witt
+ Synopsis: In the criminal underworld of soccer, one man will have to save the championship! When local soccer team “The Eagles” fall prey to a series of onslaughts from a mysterious gangster only a week before the championship final, the team turns to the one man that can help save their chances at victory – Joe Bullet.
How To Watch Our Restored Films
+ We’re on kykNET’s “Flits” Channel 144 DSTV tonight! Tune in at 9:30pm as CEO Ben speaks about #RetroAfrika
+ We’re screening “Joe Bullet”, “Fishy Stones”, “Umbango” and “Trompie” in Johannesburg in association with The Bioscope Independent Cinema between 24th-26th October. More here (including where you can buy tickets)
+ We have a YouTube Channel with trailers for our films
+ “Joe Bullet” will be showcased at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on 8th & 13th
November as part of the “To Save and Project” Film Preservation Festival
+ Soon “Trompie” will be available in Musica (South Africa) nationwide
+ “Joe Bullet” will be screened at the Carthage International Film Festival in Tunisia in December