Film screenings aid social cohesion
AN OUTDOOR movie experience, offered to the community of Wentworth, continues to build relationships among neighbours and their children.
The area, in the south Durban basin, is plagued by gang- and drug-related crimes.
As a result of the negative image, three friends decided to work together to give the community a sense of hope.
Two years ago, Darrian Smith, Wayne Jean-Pierre and Allan Moolman started the free outdoor movie experience with different genres of films screened on a projector in different locations in Wentworth. The movies are screened at 7pm on most weekends and public holidays – depending on the weather.
Smith, 39, who lives on the Bluff, said: “We started this initiative to create safe spaces in communities and to share messages of positivity and hope.
“We wanted to inspire young people and their families through the arts. What we do is find spaces within the community and set up our movie screening equipment. We then invite the community to watch whatever movie is being screened for the evening.”
Smith, the deputy chairperson of the Wentworth Victim-Friendly Centre, said the screenings were the first steps toward building social cohesion – where the community was a part of something.
“It is a way for them to gather without fear of threats and violence that are common within their community. We want them to come out in spaces that speak to non-violence, peace, togetherness, and open conversations.”
Smith said they bought DVDs and sometimes streamed movies from Netflix. “We choose kid-friendly movies like animation, documentaries and human rights films. The selection of movies are based on what lessons we are trying to teach that day. Some of the movies we have shown include Cry Freedom, War Room, Sing and a documentary called Pray the Devil Back to Hell. It is about Liberian women who stood up against their government during the civil war.”
The screenings are not just for entertainment. Smith said they were also meant to be conversation starters.
“In this way, the people get to engage about how they can incorporate some of the things from the movie in their community. Instead of us standing up there lecturing and giving speeches, we use movies to inspire.
“Motivation only lasts for so long, whereas if there are images printed in their heads about what their community could become, it creates a community where we can be in our own spaces without the fear of anything bad happening to us because we are united.”
Jean-Pierre, 55, who lives in Wentworth, said they have extended the programme to different communities, including Newlands East.
“Basically, we go where we are called. Our angle right now is for different communities to take ownership of the programme. So if we are going to a specific area, then the person who is leading that space will mobilise and we have them host it.
“We only provide them with equipment. They have to take ownership of the people attending and they are responsible for the safety and security of the proceedings for the night.”
Jean-Pierre, who works for Freedoms South Africa, an organisation that assists in clearing criminal records, said they usually used social media to reach out to different communities that wished to be a part of the screenings.
He said they encouraged communities to contribute towards buying the snacks for the screenings and they also pitched in to make the evenings more enjoyable.
“We usually have people offer to bring snacks such as popcorn, juice and lollipops for the children to enjoy. Many of the kids cannot afford some of those luxuries, so we try by all means to find a way to have the snacks available to add to the experience.”
Alan Moolman said he knew both Jean-Pierre and Smith from working with them on other community development programmes, and when the outdoor screening idea came about he was more than happy to be a part of it.
“We have always been concerned about how oppressive and violent Wentworth is, and we wanted to create something that would be an outlet mostly for young people to be in a safe environment that allows them to imagine different possibilities than what they see day to day.”
Moolman, 48, said he grew up in Wentworth and experienced some of the negative effects of being in an unsafe environment as a young person, so he wanted to change that for his community.
“Our initiative is not just for kids to relax and watch fun movies, which we do from time to time. But it serves more as an opportunity to engage with what is happening around us and to create healthy development in our community.”
Moolman, the programme adviser for Oxfam in South Africa, said: “We have been really lucky that many people in the community have called us to bring our screenings to their areas.
“This initiative is becoming something that is more than just three friends’ effort, but more of a community programme. We are excited with what has been accomplished.”
Gavin Samuels, 53, who attends the screenings in Wentworth, said: “I think what they are doing is wonderful. It gives people a chance to experience a different reality than what they are used to. It is especially great for the children.”
Samuels, a pastor at Austerville Baptist Church, said he hosted one of the screenings for the children at his church.
“The children are always excited about it. It teaches them to see a different perspective of life outside of their environments and helps them communicate about important things happening in our community.”