Fine fare at festival

Unique, engaging stories from across the world. ACCOUNT OF JOSEPH SHABALALA’S RISE TO FAME

The Joburg Film Festival (JFF) is showcasing some of the finest films from more than 35 countries across the globe, including 20 African premieres and 27 South African premieres, until Sunday.

UTAMA

An elderly Quechua couple lives a tranquil life in the arid Bolivian highlands. While Virginio takes their small herd of llamas out to graze, Sisa keeps house and walks to fetch precious water. When an uncommonly long drought threatens everything, they must decide whether to stay and maintain their traditional way of life or admit defeat and move in with family members in the city.

SILENCE IN THE DUST

After being diagnosed with advanced staged pneumoconiosis from working in a quartz powder factory in Guangdong, Dazhang returns to his hometown and shares the suffering with his family.

The 2022 Special Jury Prize and Taiwan International Documentary Festival Visionary Award-winning Silence in the Dust is directed by Li Wei.

SHIMONI

Examines the life of a teacher who is sent back to the village where he was raised after being released from prison. He’s forced to re-jig his life in a community he left behind, doing manual jobs that are alien to him.

MUSIC IS MY LIFE

Provides an engaging account of the life of Joseph Shabalala and his rise to international fame with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, including the group’s contribuShot tions to Paul Simon’s Graceland, which, despite defying the cultural boycott, went on to become one of South Africa’s most-loved albums.

THE CLOUD & THE MAN

in soulful black and white, The Cloud and the Man explores Manik’s uneventful life. His father passes away one day and he is served a month’s notice to vacate their rented house. Just when his world starts to fall apart, Manik meets someone who would change his life for good – a cloud. A unique love story unfolds, propelling Manik on a rollercoaster journey.