south african cinema

Fishy Stones

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Fishy Stones South African Cinema
KEY CREW & CAST
Director Tonie Van Der Merwe Cast Innocent “Popo” Gumede
Producer Pedre Dippenaar Hector Matanda
Writer Lianja Scripts Mandla Ngoya
DOP Tonie Cunningham Lungi Mdladla
Editor Fred Ridgard Max Mkhwanazi
Sound Wally Booysen
Y.O.P 1980’s
Running Time 70 min
Language isiZulu
Genre Crime / Drama
SYNOPSIS

After a well-executed jewellery store heist, two amateur thugs go on the run. 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. After a daring escape from prison, the two thugs 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!

Fishy Stones South African Cinema

Fishy Stones South African Cinema

Abathumbi

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Abathumbi South African Cinema

KEY CREW & CAST
Director Tonie van der Merwe Cast Innocent “Popo” Gumede
Producer Oubaas Olivier Jabulani Luthuli
Writer Pat Johnstone Victor Nhleko
DOP Tonie van der Merwe Khelekani Magubane
Sound Foxy Hand Sthembiso Mthembu
Y.O.P 1980’s Bongo Nyawo
Running Time 61 min Thokozani Jele
Language isiZulu Bheki Malinnga
Genre Crime/ Drama
SYNOPSIS

A mysterious gangster known only as “Boss” infiltrates the home of a local pastor with a devious scheme to abduct the pastor’s nephew. In order to get a heavy ransom from the boy’s wealthy father, he is let down by the ineptitude and incompetence of his two underlings.

The young nephew, together with his two cousins, work cleverly together and with the help a good Samaritan neighbour manage to defeat the crooks.

Abathumbi South African Cinema

Abathumbi South African Cinema

Interview with Tonie van der Merwe

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Trompie Framegrab

We recently did a little interview with Tonie van der Merwe – the creator of “Trompie”. Take a look at what he said.

  • When was Trompie produced?

I’d say around 1973-1974 if I’m not mistaken.

  • What where the challenges?

There were a number challenges the main one being directing the baboon and the dogs. We used a trained baboon that we got from a friend in Krugersdorp. We were not aware how difficult it would be to try and get that thing in the water. So yes, the biggest challenge was controlling the animals.

  • How well did it do?

Well Trompie did not do as well as we would have liked but we did take it on a national tour, visiting different communities and schools. So I would say it did okay.

  • The cast?

Well for the cast we put up an article for an open casting in the Sunday News and called out to as many people as we could. People wrote in and that is how we identified and found the actors.

  • How long did it take to produce?

Well it took between 6 – 8 weeks to shoot.

  • Why did it disappear?

After the national tour I moved on to other shoots and never really gave Trompie any mind until Benjamin Cowley came along.

  • What does it mean to you that is out on Dvd this week?

Well I hope it does well because I need the money from my Rhino movie that I plan to shoot next year.

  • Any Trompie sequels?

Well Benjamin had mentioned something like that but that all depends on him. If the opportunity arises however I would be very glad because I love working with children.

Andre Laubscher - the original "Trompie"!

Andre Laubscher – the original “Trompie”!

Tonie van der Merwe - Director of "Trompie"

Tonie van der Merwe – Director of “Trompie”

Umbango

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UMBANGO SOUTH AFRICAN FILM

KEY CREW & CAST
Director Tonie Van Der Merwe Cast Innocent “Popo” Gumede
Producer Steve Hand Kay Magubane
Writer Pat Johnston Hector Mathanda
DOP Tonie Van Der Merwe Dumisani Shongwe
Editor N/A Vincent Velekazi
Sound Edwin Knopf Vusi Gudazi
Y.O.P approx. 1986 Fikile Majozi
Running Time 70 min Mac Mkhwanazi
Language isiZulu Emmanuel Shangase
Genre Western
SYNOPSIS

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.

Umbango South African Cinema

Umbango South African Cinema

Umbango South African Cinema

Umbango South African Cinema

Zero for Zep

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South African Cinema

KEY CREW & CAST
Director Steve Hand / Laurens Barnard Cast So Mhlanga
Producer Tugela Films Khulekani Magubane
Writer Carl Bleakley Gugu Mhlanga
DOP Laurens Barnard Tim Mtshali
Editor N/A Jabulani Lthuli
Sound Foxy Hand Richard Manqele
Y.O.P 1980’s Innocent “Popo” Gumede
Running Time 66 min Wilson Phala
Language isiZulu Thembi Sambo
Genre Crime / Drama Winnie Mkhize
SYNOPSIS

When Zep dumps his pregnant teenage girlfriend, and later discovers she committed suicide as a result of this, he acts out. Angry and confused, he undertakes a childish crime spree in order to deal with what has happened.

Things quickly spiral out of control and soon the police are hot on his tail.

In a daring final escape, the young man comes to see the error of his ways and decides to face the consequences of his actions like a man.

Zero for Zep South African Cinema

Zero for Zep South African Cinema

Zero for Zep South African Cinema

What People Say About Us on Twitter

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framegrab from "Gone Crazy"

framegrab from “Gone Crazy”

“Trompie” – An Interview on Kyknet

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Trompie South African Film

Our restored Afrikaans film will be available in Musica nationwide across South Africa in November. We are very proud of this and hope you will enjoy this restored South African classic from 1975. More on Trompie here. This is the digitally remastered version of the original 1975 feature film about Trompie, based on the Topsy Smith books. It’s about the mischievous young Trompie and the misadventures he and his gang of friends embark upon. Follow its Facebook page here.

CEO of Gravel Road Entertainment Group, who bring you the film, spoke recently on “Kyknet” in South Africa on DSTV.

How To Watch Our Restored Films

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framegrab from "Mandla"

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 “Trompie” screening in Johannesburg 24-26 October

framegrab from "Fishy Stones" 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

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