What Would Jesus Buy?
“We’re a movement, we’re a movie, we’re a book, we’re common sense… We’re trying to get America to stop their shopping!…. Hallelujah. Amen.” Rev Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping. We’re not sure when it’s out in SA but you MUST catch director/producer team Rob van Alkamade and Morgan Spurlock’s “What would Jesus Buy?”. It’s a documentary (or mockumentary?) featuring “Reverend Billy” the flamboyant Elvis-meets-RayMcAuley style PREACHER who moves around with a colourful gospel choir trying to rid the US commercial world of SHOPPING DEMONS before it’s too late and we hit SHOPOCALYPSE. It’s a spoof and it looks like a good laugh but it definitely has some brilliant intentions, particularly when one considers the debt situation amongst SA consumers…. – let’s hope people pick up on the irony and see fluff for what it truly is. See what IMDB says here. Watch the trailer below: [youtube]sGi21YQFjMM[/youtube] Wikipedia tells us: The film focuses on the issues of the commercialization of Christmas, materialism, the over-consumption in American culture, globalization, and the business practices of large corporations, as well as their economic and cultural effects on American society, as seen through the prism of activist/performance artist Bill Talen, who goes by the alias of “Reverend Billy,” and his troupe of activists, whose street theater performances take the form of a church choir called “The Church of Stop Shopping,” that sings anti-shopping and anti-corporate songs. The film follows Billy and his choir as they take a cross-country trip in the month prior to Christmas 2005, and spread their message against what they perceive as the evils of patronizing the retail outlets of several different large corporate...
Catch the NW film fest now!
It’s certainly the North West’s moment as festivals, parties, events and celebrations continuously draw Jozi peeps to the platinum province. One of the South African film industry’s most anticipated events, the 5th North West Film Festival (NWFF), is taking place from the 14th to the 23rd September 2007 across the North West Province. The theme of the festival is Ke Ya Rona (Setswana for “It is Ours”) and its primary objective is to encourage people to take ownership of the industry either as active audiences or film makers. The Festival aims to ‘edutain’ using film as a medium. The Festival takes place within National Heritage month, and it will showcase films with a Proudly South African focus to celebrate the country’s heritage. These films include; Karen Slater’s From Nkoko with Love, Vincent Moloi’s A Pair of Boots and a Bicycle, Jioty Mystry’s I Mike what I Like, Rudi Steyn’s Baas van die Plaas, Khulile Nxumalo’s The House of Credo Mutwa and Teboho Mahlatsi’s Sekalli sa Meokgo. Eight young aspirant filmmakers from around the North West Province have been undergoing rigorous training and development as part of the Festival’s 7 week filmmaking workshop. Here they developed and produced 4 ‘Proudly North West’ short films which will be showcased at this year’s Festival. In addition, over 60 South African and international films comprising of documentaries, shorts and feature films will be screened in Mafikeng, the capital of the North West Province. Other screenings will spread to the rest of Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala, Bophirima and the Southern districts as part of the Festival’s community outreach project. The programme offers an exciting range of films which fall under the following genres: Films from the African continent. This package features films from the Nigerian film industry – Nollywood as well as a taste of the best of Fespaco (Pan African Film Festival of Ougadougou) – Africa’s biggest festival. The Festival will also pay homage to the father of African cinema Ousemane Sembene who passed away this year by screening his award winning film, Moolade. Well known Nigerian director Chico Ejiro, known as Mr. Prolific in Nollywood will show a film entitled 100 Days in the Jungle. The Festival will also hold an open discussion on the Nigerian film industry. The second focus lends itself to films that celebrate young South African directors. These include Karabo Lediga (Black Sunday) and Lindiwe Nkutha (Joburg Rising),Khalo Matabane (Conversations on a Sunday Afternon), John Barker (Bunny Chow), Robin Kleindsmidt (Ongeriewe), Norman Maake (Soldiers of the Rock), Omelga Mthiyane (Different Pigment) With 2010 around the corner, the Festival has prepared a football package to wet the...
Meet the cast and crew of Bunny Chow
The First Wednesday Film Club is back on the 5 September at Atlas Studios in Milpark… you can watch Bunny Chow along with the crew and cast and then mingle with them at the (cash) bar… Click on the flyer for more info. You know it’s gonna be fun if this crazy crew is in the house! GO GO...
Represent Interview: Scottnes from CoalStove
“Film makers need to do what kwaito did: mess around and wait for what feels good to you. When people like Oscar and others started kwaito they didn’t care that people called it bubble-gum, they made the music because it sounded good to them. That’s what we need to do.” Scottnes Smith Every now and then Editorista gets to meet people who simply radiate “raw talent”, drawing you to them and making you curious about the path they’re shooting along. Today we get under the skin of 23 year old Scottnes Smith, a sparkling bright flame that we met two years ago at a rather messy awards ceremony- let’s just say lots of gold tequila was quaffed to celebrate a win and Scottnes happened on the occasion and offered much support. We’re catching him on his way towards massive things, starting with his start up Coal Stove productions – make sure to check out their Off The Shelf movie nights. We give you – Scottnes! Scott, give us the short version of your backstory if you don’t mind… from birth to now, how did you find yourself where you are at?… I was born and bred in Jo’burg. I lived in Nigel for a while- way back, then moved to Eldo’s. From there my family moved to Observatory when I was about 13 where we’ve been ever since. I went to school at Sacred Heart College. Right now I’m finishing a degree in Dramatic Arts specializing in Television at Wits University. I guess that’s it. How do you define and describe your brand Coal Stove? Whats it all about? Coal Stove Pictures is based on a simple idea: South African stories need to be shared, with each other and with the world. The Coal Stove is the place where we share our stories. It gives fire, warmth and maybe cooks a little pap! We wanna help South Africans reach out to each other through all our stories. Tell us about the Off the Shelf events .. what’s the inspiration, what can your clientele expect? Off the Shelf is a place where people can come and enjoy SA films. We show short films from around the country and internationally. Most of the work is by students at film schools though not exclusively. Off the Shelf is an opportunity for filmmakers to get their work shown. There’s no point in having films gathering dust in our cupboards. People make films to be seen. We give them that chance. For people who are not necessarily filmmakers though, Off the Shelf is a place to just enjoy being at the movies but with a distinctly SA flava....
Canadian Movie @ the Alliance
Movie buffs and those of you interested in the French language and culture, make sure to catch the screening of Canadian Oscar-winning (Best Foreign Language 2004) movie Les Invasions Barbares. More on the film at IMDB and see the synopsis below – free entry. Les Invasions Barbares Fri 10 August 2007 6pm Language: French – English subtitles Not suitable for persons under the age of 16 years Free entrance Venue: Alliance Française of Johannesburg 17 Lower Park Drive corner Kerry Road Parkview (opposite Zoo Lake) For more information: 011 646 1169 culture.jhb@alliance.org.za Les invasions barbares Rémy, divorced, in his early fifties, is hospitalized. His ex-wife Louise immediately asks their son Sébastien, now enjoying a successful career in London, to come home. Sébastien hesitates; after all, he and his father haven’t had much to say to one another in years. He relents, however, and flies to Montréal with his French fiancée. Upon his arrival, Sébastien stops at nothing to obtain a clear picture of his father’s state of health and help make things easier for him during the difficult times ahead. He uses his wits, cajoles his family and friends, shakes up the system and even resorts to bribery in order to bring a greater measure of comfort – and happiness – to his father’s life. In the meantime, relatives, friends and lovers stop by Rémy’s bedside to offer their support, settle their accounts… and reflect on their own lives. Seventeen years later, the decline of the american empire continues… Rémy, divorcé, la cinquantaine, est à l’hôpital. Son ex-femme Louise rappelle d’urgence leur fils Sébastien, installé à Londres. Ce dernier hésite, son père et lui n’ont plus rien à se dire depuis longtemps. Finalement, il accepte de revenir à Montréal pour aider sa mère et soutenir son père. Dès son arrivée, Sébastien remue ciel et terre, joue de ses relations, bouscule le système de toutes les manières possibles pour adoucir les épreuves qui attendent Rémy. Il ramène aussi au chevet de Rémy la joyeuse bande qui a marqué son passé : parents, amis et anciennes maîtresses. Que sont-ils devenus à l’heure des “invasions barbares” ? L’irrévérence, l’amitié et la truculence sont-elles toujours au rendez-vous ? L’humour, l’épicurisme, le désir peuplent-ils toujours leurs rêves ? A l’heure des invasions barbares, le déclin de l’empire américain...
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