Latest news with #46thDurbanInternationalFilmFestival
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
DHC to host free screening of God's Work
A MOVIE inspired by the homeless in eThekwini, debuting at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, will be screened for free at the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) today, at 13:00, and at Watercrest Ster-Kinekor on Sunday, July 27, at 17:00. The film is already receiving rave reviews. An audience member at the SA premiere on Sunday at Suncoast confirmed the impact that God's Work elicits. 'It makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable … in all the right ways,' said the viewer. God's Work, billed as 'a portrait of resilience, a meditation on memory, and an unflinching gaze into the unseen lives of those discarded by the world', is directed by Durban-based award-winning director and writer, Michael James, and produced by Sithabile Mkhize alongside co-producer Marco Orsin. James was inspired to make God's Work while volunteering at DHC during the lockdown. The DHC, working with the eThekwini Municipality and other NGOs and faith communities, organised emergency shelters for 1500 people across Durban during the pandemic. The centre itself hosted 100 sick and disabled homeless men whom James spent time chatting to, and it inspired him to tell their stories on film. Also Read: SA film showcases Durban beachfront globally 'The film should make audiences feel discomfort,' said Dr Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC. 'And yes, something must be done. Leaders need to speak out, and the politicians and religious leaders need to listen, and respond, and support all of us endeavouring to make a difference.' The film is set in the heart of Durban. A derelict building offers a fragile sanctuary to a group of homeless men surviving on society's margins. Blurring the line between reality and fiction, the film follows Simphiwe, played by SAFTA award-winning actor Thobani Nzuza (eHostela, Uzalo, DiepCity), and his crew as they navigate addiction, poverty, performative politics, and the lure of fleeting fame. With Simphiwe fighting demons only he can see, and moving performances by a strong supporting cast, including Mbulelo Radebe, Omega Mncube, Siya Xaba, Zenzo Msomi and Nduduzo Khowa, the film is a raw exploration of survival, brotherhood, and the human desire to be seen before disappearing. 'This is not just a film about homelessness, it's a story about power, loss, resistance — and what it costs to stay human in a world that's abandoned its soul,' said Mkhize. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
What's new at Nu Metro cinemas, a feast of films at Durban festival, and a hook-handed stalker is back
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. This week Spotlight shines a light on industry news, including the 46th Durban International Film Festival, splendid developments and offers for all film lovers at Nu Metro cinemas. It also takes a peek at the remake of a slasher favourite. Cinema lovers can look forward to extraordinary developments at Nu Metro cinemas, including 270° wraparound screens with sound quality to deliver top immersive movie experiences. Mini Bounce play areas are on the cards for Kidz cinemas, and premium screen formats and a wide range of partners will ensure more affordable cinema visits, more often. A jam-packed film festival is awaiting African and international film enthusiasts and industry professionals from July 17 to 27 in Durban. Filled with premieres, masterclasses, Q&A sessions and workshops centred on the world of storytelling, a record number of attendees are expected at this year's 46th Durban International Film Festival. Look out for groundbreaking local films such as Lucky Fish, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight and many more. Get ready for a modern take on the popular throwback thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer, delivering new chills for the legacy slasher remake. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the film sees returning cast members Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jnr with new faces including Madelyn Cline and Nicholas Alexander Chavez. Five friends, one deadly secret and a hook-handed stalker who knows exactly what they did last summer. Time to head to cinemas. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Competition and giveaways Send us your favourite Nu Metro cinema name and stand a chance to win a double VIP Nu Metro cinema voucher. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by July 23. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Ar ena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
Egypt Today
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Soaring beyond Cannes: Egyptian film AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY lands in South Africa
Following its historic world premiere at Cannes, Morad Mostafa's Egyptian thriller AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY is set to hold its African premiere at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, taking place in South Africa from July 17th to the 27th. The first Egyptian film in Cannes' Un Certain Regard in nearly a decade, AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY received an extended round of rapturous applause and a well-deserved standing ovation at the powerhouse French festival. Aisha is a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver living in a neighborhood in the heart of Cairo, where she witnesses the tension between her fellow African migrants and other groups. Unwittingly, she becomes involved with an Egyptian gang that blackmails her into stealing her patients' keys so that they can rob them. A co-production between Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Sudan, the film has garnered significant support, including grants from the Doha Film Institute, Cultural Resource Fund, El Gouna Film Festival, Locarno Academy, Cannes' Cinéfondation and La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde, and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. It also notably swept a top award at Red Sea Lodge, five at Venice's Final Cut, as well as the Atlas Award at Marrakech International Film Festival. The creative team behind AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY features several returning faces from Mostafa's I PROMISE YOU PARADISE, including cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef, who also worked on last year's Cannes entry THE VILLAGE NEXT TO PARADISE, which also made its way to Toronto; production designer Eman Elelaby, who earned a FIPRESCI Prize for her work on FEATHERS; costume designer Nayera Eldahshoury; sound engineer Mostafa Shaban; and editor Mohamed Mamdouh. Produced by Sawsan Yusuf's Bonanza Films, the film is co-produced alongside Dora Bouchoucha and Lina Shaban of Tunisia's Nomadis Images, Sherif Fathy of Shift Studios, Ahmed Amer of A. A. Films, Faisal Baltayour from Cinewaves, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab of MAD Solutions — the subsidiary of which, MAD World, is handling the film's world sales— May Odeh and Zorana Musikic of Mayana Films, Laura Nikolov of Coorigins, Abellelah Al Ahmary of Arabia Pictures, and associate producer Amjad Abu Alala. AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY boasts a stellar cast, with Buliana Simon taking on the lead role of Aisha alongside Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza—in his first feature-length appearance—Emad Ghoniem, and Mamdouh Saleh. Morad Mostafa is an Egyptian film director born in Cairo in 1988 who worked as an assistant director in the film industry for over ten years. He's also a graduate of Berlinale Talents, Durban Talents, Locarno Academy, and Cinéfondation Cannes and has been named one of the Arab Stars of Tomorrow by Screen International Magazine in 2023. Last year, he was chosen as one of the top 100 influential cinema personalities in the Middle East in an annual list published by the Arab Cinema Center. Mostafa has also participated in several international jury panels, the most recent of which was at the Cairo International Film Festival. He is most known for writing and directing WARD'S HENNA PARTY, WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT MARIAM, KHADIGA, and I PROMISE YOU PARADISE, all of which were selected for the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival — the most important short film festival in the world. These films have been screened at over 400 festivals worldwide and have won around 150 local and international awards. His latest short film, I PROMISE YOU PARADISE, was selected for the 77th Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week, where it won the Rail d'Or. It also participated in the Locarno International Film Festival and made it to the shortlist of the César Awards. His first feature film, AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY, won the Final Cut Award at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and will have its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard.
See - Sada Elbalad
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egyptian Film "Aisha Can't Fly Away" to Screen at South Africa's Durban International Film Festival
Yara Sameh Following its historic world premiere at Cannes, Morad Mostafa's Egyptian thriller "Aisha Can't Fly Away" is set to hold its African premiere at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, taking place in South Africa from July 17 to 27. The first Egyptian film in Cannes' Un Certain Regard in nearly a decade, "Aisha Can't Fly Away" received an extended round of rapturous applause and a well-deserved standing ovation at the powerhouse French festival. Aisha is a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver living in a neighborhood in the heart of Cairo, where she witnesses the tension between her fellow African migrants and other groups. Unwittingly, she becomes involved with an Egyptian gang that blackmails her into stealing her patients' keys so that they can rob them. A co-production between Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Sudan, the film has garnered significant support, including grants from the Doha Film Institute, Cultural Resource Fund, El Gouna Film Festival, Locarno Academy, Cannes' Cinéfondation and La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde, and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. It also notably swept a top award at Red Sea Lodge, five at Venice's Final Cut, as well as the Atlas Award at Marrakech International Film Festival. The creative team behind "Aisha Can't Fly Away" features several returning faces from Mostafa's "I Promise You Paradise", including cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef, who also worked on last year's Cannes entry "The Village Next to Paradise", which also made its way to Toronto; production designer Eman Elelaby, who earned a FIPRESCI Prize for her work on FEATHERS; costume designer Nayera Eldahshoury; sound engineer Mostafa Shaban; and editor Mohamed Mamdouh. Produced by Sawsan Yusuf's Bonanza Films, the film is co-produced alongside Dora Bouchoucha and Lina Shaban of Tunisia's Nomadis Images, Sherif Fathy of Shift Studios, Ahmed Amer of A. A. Films, Faisal Baltayour from Cinewaves, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab of MAD Solutions — the subsidiary of which, MAD World, is handling the film's world sales— May Odeh and Zorana Musikic of Mayana Films, Laura Nikolov of Coorigins, Abellelah Al Ahmary of Arabia Pictures, and associate producer Amjad Abu Alala. "Aisha Can't Fly Away" boasts a stellar cast, with Buliana Simon taking on the lead role of Aisha alongside Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza—in his first feature-length appearance—Emad Ghoniem, and Mamdouh Saleh. Morad Mostafa is an Egyptian film director born in Cairo in 1988 who has worked as an assistant director in the film industry for over ten years. He is also a graduate of Berlinale Talents, Durban Talents, Locarno Academy, and Cinéfondation Cannes and has been named one of the Arab Stars of Tomorrow by Screen International Magazine in 2023. Last year, Mostafa was chosen as one of the top 100 influential cinema personalities in the Middle East in an annual list published by the Arab Cinema Center. He has also participated in several international jury panels, the most recent of which was at the Cairo International Film Festival. Mostafa is most known for writing and directing "Ward's Henna Party", "What We Don't Know About Mariam", "Khadiga", and "I Promise You Paradise", all of which were selected for the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival — the most important short film festival in the world. These films have been screened at over 400 festivals worldwide and have won around 150 local and international awards. His latest short film, "I Promise You Paradise", was selected for the 77th Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week, where it won the Rail d'Or. It also participated in the Locarno International Film Festival and made it to the shortlist of the César Awards. 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