How To Watch Our Restored Films

October 23, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

framegrab from “Mandla”

+ 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

framegrab from “Trompie” screening in Johannesburg 24-26 October

framegrab from “Fishy Stones” screening in Johannesburg 24-26 October

framegrab from “Umbango” screening in Johannesburg 24-26 October

We’re on Kyknet!

October 22, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Tomorrow night at 9:30pm (23 October 2014), we’ll be featured on kyknet on DSTV. Here is their awesome website.

Join us on Twitter here.

RetroAfrika launches Mayibuye Film Festival SABC. CEO of Gravel Road Entertainment will be interviewed on KYKNET

Framegrabs of “Trompie”

October 20, 2014October 21, 2014 / The Starlit Path / 2 Comments

Here are some delightful framegrabs from our 1975 restored Afrikaans film “Trompie”

+ The original 1975 feature film is about the young Trompie and the misadventures he and his gang of friends embark upon, based on the books by Topsy Smith. Together with his mates Rooie, Blikkies and little Dawie, the young boys embark on a series of naughty things that often land them in hot soup with the townsfolk of their hometown of Kwaggaberg

+ Trompie is a freckle-faced eleven-year-old boy and the “Big Chief” of the “Boksom Gang”

+ Their cajoling with the Reverend’s pet baboon gets completely out of hand and Trompie’s innocent attempts at fixing his sister, Anna, up with a boyfriend goes terribly wrong

+ Not only does Trompie and his gang of friends almost ruin the annual school concert, but their shenanigans leads to a bet that Trompie will be able to crash the show and appear on stage that evening

+ Throughout all these misadventures, Trompie befriends a playful mongrel who belongs to an old man about to leave the town

+ As the story comes to a close, Trompie will have to watch on as the mangy dog has to choose between staying with the impish young boy and leaving with its old master

Details for Retro Afrika Fest in JHB

October 14, 2014October 15, 2014 / The Starlit Path / 1 Comment

The Mini Retro Afrika Film Festival in association with The Bioscope Independent Cinema is happening next week in Johannesburg 24th – 26th October. 4 Films will be showcased as part of a mini festival – “Joe Bullet”, “Fishy Stones”, “Trompie” and “Umbango”

Where

286 Fox Street, Johannesburg

When

24th – 26th October

Directions

From the M1 South, go around the city on to the M2 EastTake the Joe Slovo off ramp.

Take Market Street off ramp to your rightKeep right, and go over one set of lights.

At the next set of lights go right into Betty Street.

Take Next right into Fox.

Main Street Life will appear on your left.

The Bioscope is on the ground floor.

The Bioscope is located in the Maboneng Precinct.

There is guarded street parking located directly outside the cinema.

There is also a precinct wide security solution and Jeppe Police Station just around the corner, so you are more than safe!

Programme

Joe Bullet

When a mysterious gangster starts sabotaging soccer team The Eagles’ chance at winning the upcoming championship final, there is only one man who can save the day…Joe Bullet.

FRI 24 OCT 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

SUN 26 OCT 7PM BUY TICKETS

Fishy Stones

After a well-executed jewellery store heist, two amateur thugs go on the run.
But the police are not too far behind, and after a chase through the countryside, the thugs are apprehended – but only after they stash their loot in a clump of nearby bushes.

When two best friends head off into the wilderness on a camping expedition together, luck seems to be on their side when they discover the hidden stash of diamonds.
But life is never that easy, and the two thugs, after a daring escape from prison, pick up the trail of the friends, hunting them down in order to reclaim their loot.
In the end, the boys’ parents come to their rescue, and the two dim-witted criminals are sent back to jail once more – hopefully for good this time!

SAT 25 OCT 6PM. BUY TICKETS

Umbango

When Kay Kay, a powerful, ruthless businessman sets out on a mission of revenge against two men accused of killing his brother, he strong-arms the local sheriff into forming a posse of thugs to aid in his vendetta. But when Jet and Owen, the two easy going friends, learn of the gang out for their blood, they prepare to stand their ground and fight back. It all comes to a head in a final gun-fight, a showdown in the small western town where blood will have to be spilt if the friends wish to come out of this alive.

SAT 25 OCT 8PM. BUY TICKETS

Trompie

The original feature film produced in 1975, based on the books by Topsy Smith that ultimately led to the renowned and well-loved television show, introduces Trompie as a freckle-faced eleven year old boy, and the Big Chief of the Boksom Gang.

Together with his mates Rooie, Blikkies and little Dawie, the young boys embark on a series of mischievous adventures that often land them in hot soup with the townsfolk of their hometown of Kwaggaberg.
Their cajoling with the Reverend’s pet baboon gets completely out of hand and Trompie’s innocent attempts at fixing his sister, Anna, up with a boyfriend goes terribly wrong.

Not only does Trompie and his gang of friends almost ruin the annual school concert, but their shenanigans leads to a bet that Trompie will be able to crash the show and appear on stage that evening. Throughout all these misadventures, Trompie befriends a playful mongrel who belongs to an old man about to leave the town. As the story comes to a close, Trompie will have to watch on as the mangy dog has to choose between staying with the impish young boy or leaving with it’s old master.

SUN 26 OCT 5PM. BUY TICKETS

Lennox Mncedisi Gxasheka – Data Lab

May 1, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Photos by: Patrick Ryan

Shot on location at Waterfront Film Studios, Cape Town

Lennox has been intrigued by film from a young age. When he became a working professional, he jumped at the opportunity to work in the duplication of movies onto video format at the “Six Street Post Production” facility in Johannesburg, now known as “The Refinery“.

His training included all aspects; working on tape decks and ultimately producing the master copies for various television stations.

When the industry made the transition to digital, Lennox began training on the Final Cut program in order to work in the data lab facility. Using these abilities has been working on the restoration process whereby master copies can now be duplicated onto DVD’s.

Jonathon Joubert – Picture Restoration

April 30, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Photos by: Patrick Ryan

Shot on location at Waterfront Film Studios, Cape Town

Jono started his career in post production as an editor working on Final Cut and Avid, before becoming involved as a data lab operator doing digital deliveries, tape play-outs and mastering for feature films.

With a passion and love for film, along with a technical mind-set, film restoration became an obvious choice for Jono. He happily spends countless hours at a time painstakingly painting each and every frame of film. The aim is to bring it as close to its original and perfect form as possible.

This attention to detail might not always be noticed by audiences, but the opportunity to restore a piece of South Africa’s history- and the knowledge that it has been done right- is what brings him satisfaction.

Kyle Stroebel – Colourist

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Photos by: Patrick Ryan

Shot on location at Waterfront Film Studios, Cape Town

Forged in the fiery cauldrons of a film school far, far away….. Kyle served under some of the greatest mentors Table Mountain’s shadow has ever witnessed. Over the years he has finely tuned his eyes with the help of these Masters’ gifts (and a staple diet of chicken nuggets and protein shakes), into a force to be reckoned with.

Accustomed to darkness, with only the light of his monitors to keep him company, his pale complexion is a testament to his acute attention to detail, colour gradients and ravishingly pale good looks. After emerging from the cut-throat realm of commercials into the light of long-form post-production work, Kyle has numerous international feature film notches on his belt. Many have been screened at the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.

Having mastered his craft on the digital platform, he has a refined touch for film restoration and has partnered with his Telecine in a somewhat twisted matrimony.

Rest assured that upon emerging from Kyle’s editing suite you’re guaranteed of leaving with a pretty picture, both on-screen and off.

Isiboshwa

April 25, 2014November 24, 2014 / The Starlit Path / 1 Comment

This 70 minute adventure film was shot in 1989. Produced by Steve Hand and Directed by Tonie vd Merwe, it stars Sizwe Dlamini, Popo Gumede and Hector Mathanda. Catch it on SABC1 this Sunday at 8:30pm as part of the Mayibuye Film Festival!

TAGLINE

While on a camping trip, three teenage brothers go from being the hunted to the hunters in an effort to snare and catch a dangerous thief.

SYNOPSIS

The summer holidays finally arrive, and the three teenage brothers head out into the wilderness for a camping trip together. Their days are spent fishing, swimming and relaxing by their small tent on the banks of the river.

But unbeknownst to the boys, they are being watched. When things start going missing from their camp, and other strange events begin to occur, the three brothers begin to worry, unsure and unaware of who or what is stalking them.

Eventually they manage to discover what is really happening, and together they set out on a path fraught with danger, action and drama in order to bring the culprit to justice.

DIGITALLY REMASTERED BY:

Philip Olckers – Audio Restoration

April 23, 2014April 23, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Photos by: Patrick Ryan

Shot on location at Waterfront Film Studios, Cape Town

Philip is an award winning audio engineer and sound designer, specializing in the final mix of sound tracks for feature films. This includes all aspects of post-production sound recording and mixing. He is also an accomplished score composer, having focused this aspect of his skill set on short films to date. Philip has worked on numerous international feature films, including “Fast and Furious 6” and “The Last Stand”. He was an assisting Sound Engineer and Foley Mixer for “Die Wonderwerker” which was nominated for a SAFTA for “Best Sound” (South African Film and Television Awards). He has assisted and worked alongside Barry Donnelly on a number of SA’s biggest feature films, and has final mixed a number of TV series and local feature films. Philip currently works out of the Waterfront Studios, where his knowledge of sound restoration & mixing is being applied to the Retro Afrika Bioscope project.

Reginald Pillay – Film Lab Technician

April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 / The Starlit Path / Leave a comment

Photos by: Patrick Ryan

Shot on location at Waterfront Film Studios, Cape Town

Reginald has been working with film since 1974. With training in printing, sound engineering and negative matching, he soon found his calling when he was accepted to study to become a film timer/colourist. This would include all aspects of film laboratory functions in commercials, television and feature films.

With the transition from film to digital over recent years, Reginald has become a rare commodity when dealing with expertise in film print knowledge. He has brought his extensive experience and love of film to the restoration procedure of these Retro Afrika Bioscope films, where he has been responsible for re-splicing and cleaning these old prints (some of them up to 40 years old) before they are ingested into the digital realm.