Our selection of pan-African films has already been screened at the annual Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The festival was founded decades ago by Teddy Sarkin and Ros Sarkin and is the oldest and largest film festival in Africa. DIFF is a showcase of more than 200 screenings celebrating the best in South African, African and international cinema and most of the screenings are either African or South African premieres. There’s more to the festival than just films, though – you’ll also find filmmaker workshops, industry seminars, discussion forums and much more besides.
The 43rd Durban International Film Festival was held virtually and took place from 21 to 31 July. Here are five great films to look out for.
Collision Course (Nigeria)
What happens when those who are meant to protect you are those who persecute you?
A film by talented Nigerian director Bolanle Austin-Peters, Collison Course is a rhythmically propulsive, powerful movie told in 24 hours that deep-dives into the lives of a law enforcement agent, an aspiring young musician and some miscreants. The film explores the corrupt underbelly of rogue law enforcement officers, told through their interaction with the young, frustrated musician and a conflicted member of the police force. It’s an action-packed, difficult movie that exposes the harsh reality of lawlessness.
Streams (Tunisia)
Directed by Mehdi Hmili, Streams tells the story of Tunis factory worker Amel, who lives with her alcoholic spouse Tahar and their teenage son Moumen, an aspiring professional football goalkeeper. To help advance her son’s career, she contrives a meeting with wealthy businessman Imed, who takes advantage of her desperation, sexually harrasses and rapes her. A victim of police injustice and cruelty, Amel is imprisoned, accused of adultery and prostitution. The ensuing scandal deeply affects her son, who turns to drink and drugs, abandoning his football career. Upon her release, Amel searches for her son Moumen in the streets of Tunis’s violent and murky underbelly. Streams is a commentary on the unequal treatment of women and the moral decay of contemporary Tunisian society, told through the lens of a working-class family. Lead actor Afef Ben Mahmoud’s exceptional turn scooped the Best Acting Performance Award at the Cairo International Film Festival.
Juwaa (Congo)
Shot in both Belgium and The Congo, Nganji Mutiri’s Juwaa is an intimate exploration of the relationship between a mother (Riziki, played by Babetida Sadjo), a political journalist, and her son (Amani, brilliantly played by Edson Anibal), a relationship still reeling from the effects of a traumatic night that led to his father’s death in Kinshasa. The relationship has been affected by history, a 10-year absence and things left unsaid. The film follows the awkward pas-de-deux of mother and son as they attempt to rebuild their relationship: when mother and son reunite, she has rebuilt her life successfully without him, but has struggled to find his identity both as a man and as a son. Other characters orbit Riziki and Amani, perhaps to highlight the effect a primary, dysfunctional relationship can have on other relationships.
2 Thirds of a man (South Africa)
Earl Kopeledi’s coming-of-age-story is a wonderful tale of love, tragedy, courage and ambition. Talented teenager Justin is returning to Cape Town to navigate the forthcoming challenges of being a first-year-student at Rocklands University, after spending most of his teenage years in Beaufort West with his teacher mother. Helping him transition from small town to bustling, big-city life are his fun-loving uncle, a marketing professor at the university, and G, a street-wise kid from the Cape Flats.
The film received critical acclaim for its authentic storytelling, and shines a light on South Africa’s diverse ‘coloured’ community.
La Traversee (Burkina Faso)
This engrossing social drama tells the story of Djibi, who returns after many years in Italy to his native Burkina Faso. Djibi is put into contact with a group of young people who are keen to leave Burkina Faso for Europe, and he takes it upon himself to prepare them intellectually and physically for the crossing – one that he himself has made. Is it an altruistic move by Djibi? Or is it a form of redemption for him: as a young man Djibi stole his family’s savings to pay for his own crossing. La Traversee is a fascinating, timely exploration of many of the questions that surround the immigration debate: both the push and pull factors. Each year hundreds of thousands of migrants leave their countries for Europe, and most do not survive the journey. Some are fleeing war, disease and famine, but even more flee misery and poverty. To many, the West is an Eldorado.
La Traversee ultimately carries a message of hope; it packs a punch and delivers plenty of pathos: hankies at the ready.
