As Heritage Day on September 24 approaches, it’s a perfect time to honour the rich tapestry of South Africa’s cultures – not just through the smoky aromas of a braai but also by immersing ourselves in the cinematic stories created by South Africa’s talented individuals.
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District 9 (2009):
Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 is more than just a gripping sci-fi spectacle; it’s a sharp political commentary on South Africa’s history. Released in August 2009 with a $30 million budget, the film imagines a world where the government segregates stranded aliens in the 1980s. Two decades later, as plans are made to relocate them, one alien, Christopher Johnson, seeks to escape with his son.
Unlike typical Hollywood narratives that paint extraterrestrials as the villains, District 9 flips the script, revealing humans as the true antagonists. Set against South Africa’s backdrop, it is a powerful metaphor for the nation’s fractured history and the horrors of apartheid, making it one of the most impactful political sci-fi films ever made. The film puts the camera in the hands of a documentary crew for the first act, utilising a mockumentary style that intends to make viewers believe that this event happened.
Fiela se Kind (2019):
The remake of the classic 1988 film Fiela se Kind poignantly explores themes of love and identity. Set in the Karoo, it follows Fiela Komoetie, a resilient coloured woman who finds a lost white child on her doorstep and raises him as her own. Their bond is shattered when authorities discover he is not her biological son, leading to his removal to live with Elias and Barta van Rooyen, a family of woodcutters in the Knysna Forest. The film captures Fiela’s heartbreaking struggle to reclaim her son, highlighting the complexities of race, belonging, and maternal love.
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980):
The Gods Must Be Crazy is a 1980 comedy film written, produced, edited, and directed by Jamie Uys. An international co-production between South Africa and Botswana, it follows Xi, a Namibian San farmer played by Nǃxau ǂToma, whose tribe finds a glass Coca-Cola bottle and believes it to be a gift from the gods. Xi’s quest to return the bottle intertwines with a biologist (Marius Weyers), a new school teacher (Sandra Prinsloo), and a group of guerrilla terrorists.
Material (2012):
Cassim is a young Muslim man working in his father’s fabric shop in Johannesburg, but he dreams of being a stand-up comedian – a passion his father disapproves of. When he lands a gig at a local bar, Cassim must navigate the challenge of keeping his new pursuit a secret from his family, all while balancing his aspirations and cultural expectations.
Mapantsula (1988):
Directed by Oliver Schmitz and co-written with lead actor Thomas Mogotlane, Mapantsula is celebrated as the first South African film to authentically depict apartheid. Created under the threat of censorship, it premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes and was South Africa’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. Now newly restored in 4K from the original 35MM negative, Mapantsula remains one of Africa’s most influential films.
My Octopus Teacher (2020):
2021 was a landmark year for filmmaker Craig Foster, whose stunning documentary captivated millions of South Africans and won an Oscar. This heartwarming film chronicles Foster’s daily dives in a kelp forest off the False Bay coast, where he forms an extraordinary bond with an octopus that imparts invaluable life lessons. With its breathtaking underwater visuals, this documentary is a feast for the eyes and a testament to the wonders of nature.
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Picture: Screenshot
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