Hollywood comes to South Africa

In the photo: Bobedi (Fana Mokoena) held at gunpoint by OJ (Neo Ntlatleng)
Photo by NFVF

World On Press

Ian Jindela

The 31st Durban International Film Festival 2010 (DIFF) kicks off on July 22 until August 02. Regarded as the oldest festival in South Africa, this year more than 200 screenings at numerous venues across the Durban district will be presented. The venues will be all over from the beachfront outdoor screenings, the unusual cinema setup and the township theatre venues, were cinemas are non existence. Venues include Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre; Nu Metro Cinecentre - Suncoast; Ster Kinekor Junction Musgrave; Cinema Nouveau - Gateway; Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu; and The Royal Hotel. South Africa will experience most of the premiere screenings. Over 70 countries are expected at the Film festival. DIFF 2010 will introduce South African audiences to the new generation of auteurs and also focus on the Swedish film. A number of short documentary packages are on offer.

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is behind the DIFF for eleventh year. NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo in support of local Film industry will deliver a speech on the opening night followed by the screening of Crime Thriller, State of Violence (pictured here). State of Violence is directed by South Africa’s own Khalo Matabane and produced by Jeremy Nathan and Michelle Wheatley. The film is the story of a successful Black business man, an activist in the apartheid era. He tries to find the killer of his late wife. He is then reminded of the apartheid era and the struggle. Starring Fana Mokoena, Presley Chweneyagae, Neo Ntlatleng, Mary Twala and Vusi Kunene. The NFVF will offer host of various workshops and training programmes that include Talent Campus’ Meet the Experts; pitching sessions; DFM finance July 24, the NFVF will host a conference aimed at filmmakers and the media. Filmgoers can experience South African Local films, shorts and documentaries supported by the NFVF at the 31st Durban International Film and Video Festival 2010. Films like Christmas Doesn’t Come Here; The Abyss Boys; The Tunnel; The Battle for Johannesburg; My Hunter’s Heart and The Cradock Four.