John Barker – the man behind Bunny Chow
Since Gavin Hood and his cast did us proud by scooping the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in March, the local film circuit has been pretty quiet till now. The latest buzz is director John Barker’s new film Bunny Chow that is soon to premier at the Toronto Film Festival this September. Represent sends a special Big ups to Bunny Chow and everyone behind it! Written by:NG> John Barker and David Kibuuka Based on a story by: David Kibuuka, John Barker, Salah Sabiti and Joey Rasdien. Starring : Kim Engelbrecht, Kagiso Lediga, David Kibuuka, Salah Sabiti and Joey Rasdien Produced by: Kagiso Lediga and Leanne Callanan of Dog Pack Films and Michelle Wheatley We had breakfast with director John Barker to chat about his film and the industry: What does John Barker as a brand represent? J.B – I am still trying to create a brand. I’m trying to put a face to a name and get to the level where people recognise the name and associate it with great films. I want to get to the “it’s a JOHN BARKER film” level. My brand is about bringing people together. The urban market, the Color Bar crowd that have no issues about race or any hang-ups. I want to develop that kind of following.Do you believe in film school? J.B – I was an editor for a year, cameraman for four years, a runner in London on a morning show, and a graphic designer for a year. So I was self-taught. I believe more in that approach, because it exposes you to the different disciplines in making a filmmaking. Film schools are great, the problem is I don’t feel people are well equipped to choose what they want to do after matric. They don’t have a point of reference. I recon every kid should go overseas for a year before they decide what to do with their lives. How long have you been directing? And what projects have you worked on before this? J.B – It’s been 5 years now. I started off directing inserts for Channel O in South Africa on Hip Hop which was really cool. Then I directed several music videos. In the meantime, I was writing and directing short films. I then worked on a few TV shows, the Pure Monate Show being one of them. During that time, I gained a lot of experience because we would shoot about 5 to 10 comedy sketches a day. I worked with the most talented comedians in this country and that was a great blessing. The pressure I was under helped me deal with the pressure one...
STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL ON THE WAY!
THE FIRST ANNUAL ARTS ALIVE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL & COMPETITION IS BEING LAUNCHED! We love youth orientated programmes geared towards empowering the youth and giving them access to information that enabels them to make the right decisions concerning their careers. South African film is growing at a rapid rate due to initiatives such as these. We urge all young aspiring filmma… kers to take part in this upcoming festival! The ARTS ALIVE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL is an annual event, which will showcase the best in International and South African Student Films. The festival features screenings, exhibitions, workshops and will also host the YOUNG FILMMAKERS AWARDS. The film industry has seen a huge growth in the last couple of years with accolades such as this year’s Oscar Award Winning Foreign Film TSOTSI, and the Student Oscar Award Winning Foreign Film ELALINI, not to mention the success of the many other films that have set the standard for this influential industry. This year we are very proud to announce that we will be screening the Oscar ward wining film ELALINI, a South African short film that was produced by the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. At this years event there will also be a CAREERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY EXHIBITION, where we will be showcasing 12 career options in the industry from producing to musical theatre performance. Because of the tremendous growth in the entertainment industry we feel that it is important that more students become aware of the different careers that there are to offer. This event is perfect for anybody who is curious about the entertainment industry and would like to receive more information about career decisions. The festival will also be extremely exciting, as we will be screening award-winning films from all over the globe. This year the festival will be held at the Baseline, in Newtown, from the 14-16 September 2006. The competition is open to high school students who want to make films and the winner of the competition will be receiving a full bursary to study at the acclaimed South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. The award ceremony is happening on the evening of the 16th of September. If you would like to enter the competition please email us on aasff2006@gmail.com The ARTS ALIVE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL is organized in collaboration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan, Arts Alive, AFDA and Emzantsi Entertainment. The vision of the festival and market is to increase trade opportunities and development in the film and broadcast industry. For more info contact: Leanne Callanan Tel: (011) 482 9407 Cell: 083 625 1323 E-mail:...
Golden Lion Film Festival in Swaziland
Who would have thought that short filmmakers from all over the world would gather so quietly in the mountain kingdom… Even though Represent has such tight ties to Swaziland, even we had no idea about the Golden Lion Film festival. Until a good friend of ours had her film accepted and started getting all excited about Swazi Royalt… y watching her work. You go girl – wish we could be there. You know a trip to SD could be really good for the end of year soul – maybe we should reconsider. So guys, now you know about it, get your entries in for next year! The Golden Lion Film Festival Africa’s Premier Showcase for Short Cinema October 14 – 28, 2006 The Kingdom of Swaziland will be the primary location for the 2006 Golden Lion Film Festival, featuring the best of the world’s short film and video dramas, animation, documentaries, musicals and comedies. The festival in this its second year expands into South Africa and Mozambique, where special screenings will be held. Prior to the 2005 Inaugural Event, we were told that a first time, small festival like ours would be judged a success if we obtained 50 entries. The filmmakers of the world responded, from 43 nations on six continents. The festival received over 200 entries, making the Golden Lion Film Festival the foremost exhibitor of short films Africa. Filmmakers are invited to explore Swaziland, where African culture and tradition thrive in a beautiful mountainous setting. Mlilwane Game Reserve is only 15 minutes from two of the festival’s principal venues. Our South Africa venue, Casterbridge Cinema, is located in White River, the gateway to Kruger National Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve. 2006 Festival Venues Swaziland: House on Fire Entertainment Complex (Malkerns, Swaziland) Mbabane Theatre Club (Mbabane, Swaziland) Waterford Kamhlaba College (Mbabane, Swaziland) U.S. Cultural Centre (Mbabane, Swaziland) Mozambique: Venue in Maputo to be announced South Africa: Casterbridge Cinema, White River (near Kruger National Park) Mission: The Golden Lion Film Festival presents the latest accomplishments in short films and videos from Europe, North America, Africa and elsewhere in the world. All genres of shorts subjects are presented. The aim of the festival is to overcome the limitations of commercial film distribution in the region, which is largely restricted to mainstream action adventure and special effects films, and to introduce innovative filmmakers to a new audience and the excitement of today’s Africa. Beyond the festival itself, this organisation is dedicated to the advancement of film scholarship and cinema appreciation throughout Southern Africa. The educational and cultural programmes of the festival will continue throughout the year, bringing film to rural...
Film Festival has landed: ENCOUNTERS DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
We hope all film lovers have been working up a good appetite because you are about to be well fed. The Encounters Documentary Festival is here and it promises to be worth more than your money’s worth. Do yourselves a favour and indulge. Here’s all the info you need to relish the festivities! 8th edition of Encounters SA International Documentary Festival Johannesburg:/STRONG Nu Metro Hyde Park 14 July – 23 July 2006 Cape Town: Nu Metro V & A Waterfront 21 July – 6 August 2006Every year Encounters brings to South African audiences ‘factional’ films. Films that often contradict popular beliefs, but that still allow people to make up their own minds about what is happening in the world – the intimate, the political, the musical and the personal. This year, Encounter’s 8th, is no different – the 56 titles (21 South African, 5 African and 31 international) provide fascinating subject matter. The excellent line up has been chosen from over 550 films, a record number that is a sure sign that Encounters is now recognised as an important festival by local and international filmmakers alike. Loose themes encompass the full spectrum of human experience, and include inspiring Journalists on the Edge, provocative Food For Thought, an unconventional look at The Race Debate and Revisiting Colonialism, revealing investigations into the Results of War, a focus on Africa, highly personal Questions of Family and Society, and a rocking Business of Music section. This year the Festival has moved to new venues – Nu Metro Hyde Park and V & A Waterfront. Two influential directors are receiving special attention this year. In his lifetime, the great French auteur Jean Rouch created a formidable body of work, mostly in West Africa. The tiny selection Les Maitres Fous, Petit A’ Petit, and Chronique D’Un Ete (Mad Masters, Little by Little and Chronicle of a Summer) at Encounters gives audiences a taste of his groundbreaking approach and innovative style that gave birth to Cinema verite. Encounters, assisted by the French Embassy, will host Bernard Sugurue, Claude Haffner and Sue Levine, colleagues of Rouch, who will provide an invaluable glimpse into Rouch’s world. Always managing to endearingly bumble himself into the most outlandish situations, Nick Broomfield is one of Britain’s most respected documentary filmmakers. His lens has captured and investigated the personalities of many of the world’s most infamous people, among them Aileen Wuornos, Heidi Fleiss and Margaret Thatcher. For this Encounters, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love (Kurt & Courtney), Biggie Smalls and Tupac (Biggie & Tupac), and our very own Eugene Terreblanche (His Big White Self) come into not so flattering focus. Polygamy, misinterpretation,...
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