What would you do to survive if your life was in the hands of one of the most grotesque serial killers imaginable? This question is at the heart of The Unforgiving, South Africa’s first home-grown splatter film which releases at cinemas nationwide on 20 August. The Unforgiving tells the story of Rex Dobson (Ryan Macquet) and Alice Edmonds (Claire Opperman) two young people who find themselves stranded alongside the R106, a freeway just outside Johannesburg. While waiting for help, they are abducted by a masked madman who does unthinkable things to them. Both survive, but wish they hadn’t. As their... Continue Reading
By Martin Chemhere, in Johannesburg – The African film industry is growing at a fast pace, with an increasing number of international award winning films, international co-productions, hot shots and local and international film festivals cropping up across the continent. Yet another indicator of the perceived growth of African film is the exhibition platform – Africa International Film Festival (AFRIF), founded in River State, Nigeria. It seems the home of Nollywood is surely staking another claim to international stardom – the creation of worldly film fares – after the success of the highly acclaimed AMAA (Africa Movie Academy Awards), among... Continue Reading
By Martin Chemhere, in Johannesburg – New York Film Academy agitation has clasped inaugural Class Act winner Sdumo Mtshali, and the exceedingly capable actor is delighting in the looming big time and the Big Apple. By August this year he will be attending classes, interacting with the world’s finest film prospects at the eminent US institution. Exposing his fervent feelings recently, he thought: “I feel awesome, awesome, and awesome! I get to go to a school that’s regarded as one of the best in the world in the field that I love. And it’s an honour.” For 8 weeks in... Continue Reading
JOHANNESBURG – SAMEX is inviting all stakeholders to submit South African music for inclusion on the SAMEX 2010 World Music CD compilation. Both complete albums and/or individual tracks may be submitted. World Music is the focus of this selection, so only quality tracks with South African identity and international appeal will be considered. The compilation will be produced by world music expert, Nicky B, who will select and compile 25 – 30 tracks to feature on a double CD. In association with the Department of Trade and Industry, SAMEX is working towards hosting the South African Music Pavilion at WOMEX... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa Own Correspondent – SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts (SENA) has announced the four young composers who will be competing for two R170 000 scholarships to further their music studies overseas. The finalists in the two categories are: Keith Moss and Angela Mullins (Western Art Music) and James Bassingthwaighte and Kingsley Alexander Buitendag (Jazz/Popular Music). Their compositions will be performed during the final round of the competition, at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 August 2010. The SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition rotates between instrumentalists, singers, keyboard players and composers over a four year cycle. André... Continue Reading
