Montsho rises to new spiritual realm with film
Joko Ya Hao gives Dana her debut
Black female film directors also write, so that they can find work
Joko Ya Hao is one of the most popular Christian hymns that always guarantee a roaring sing-along and goose-bumps.
It also happens to be the catchy title of director Mmabatho Montsho’s new short film that centers on Methodist Church’s Manyano Women in the late 1950s and inspired by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
The film is deeply rooted in the hymn’s lyrics, Joko Ya Hao, which owes its composition in the Bible scripture in Matthew 11:30: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Ministering to the heart, both the scripture and hymn speak to each other by preaching that God will always show you mercy and salvation when in despair.
As one of the most successful black female filmmakers in SA, finding light in despair is something Montsho understands all too well.
“Being a black female filmmaker in SA is the same as it was in 2012 and maybe 2010. I get invited onto a project and I’m still one of [few] female directors [there]. I thought by now it would have been extremely different and it isn’t,” Montsho shares.
“Almost every single black female director I know they are [also] a writer because if they don’t do that they will never work. A few of us are lucky and grateful to always be working – but we are not blind to the imbalance.”
Montsho has directed and written four high-profile productions, including The Award Ceremony, Lockdown, MTV Shuga, Emoyeni and Thula’s Vine. But with under-representation, Montsho notes it’s almost close to impossible for others in the industry to yield such a colourful résumé.
“I mentor young women that want to be directors and even the educated ones that went to university they find themselves doing other work other than directing in the industry,” Montsho observes.
“Whereas their male peers are sort of making headway. I still get calls that there are no female directors, but I can count several.”
Montsho is next billed to be one of the directors of Netflix’s next African original series
Jiva! starring Noxolo Dlamini and Candice Modiselle.
She strongly urges that change has to happen.
“I have been lucky enough to meet producers when I say ‘if you are calling me to direct this you have to find other women to be on this project’.
“There are those moments. But there need to be a thorough overhaul instead of us being just a token.” Masterful Montsho directs
Joko Ya Hao – that is currently screening on Showmax – with so much distinct style and restraint. The end result is tour de force – I’m talking stylish photography accompanied by pacy editing; backed by confrontational and thought-provoking writing.
The film was nominated for a SA Film and Television Award (Safta) earlier this year.
“I have mixed feelings because it’s Women’s Month and you all of a sudden get flooded with calls for people looking for content,” Montsho says.
“Every year I ask myself: ‘why am I not getting interest throughout the year?’ While it is important to observe Women’s Month it can also be a cop out for those people that excludes women. They just do it to tick the box and it’s not reflective of any genuine effort to include women.”
Joko Ya Hao is a labour of love project for Montsho. The film is keeping in with the religious motif of her solo art exhibition, Manyano, which launched in Johannesburg two years ago.
The 20-piece exhibition featured a large array of oil paintings of the Manyano women in their distinct red, black and white uniforms the Methodist Church is known for in SA.
“This is a topic that has been haunting me for a long time. It was something that kept coming to me and I found peace with it first with the art exhibition,” Montsho recalls.
“Funny enough when I first had the visions and what not I thought it was a call for a film – so I wrote a synopsis. But then in the end the film happened last. I feel at peace.”
Musician Simphiwe Dana makes an impressive acting debut in the film with her subtle yet unflinching portrayal of the lead character, Noziziwe.
The supporting cast that includes Jet Novuka and Sibulele Gcilitshana are just as riveting to watch. But it’s Khanya Mkangisa that leaves you begging for more in her brief appearance.
“Mmabatho is one of the strongest female voices of this era. She is not only gifted creatively but politically aware, which makes her films immensely powerful,” Gcilitshana praises. Montsho’s next short film,
The Award Ceremony, has already received international recognition – all in just eight minutes. It has scooped an award at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival in Arizona, US, in February.
“It’s a story about broken school shoes. A younger girl is looking for the most prestigious day of her life, but she has to attend the school ceremony in these broken shoes,” Montsho explains.
“On the other side of town is her grandmother who is trying to make it on time with a new pair of shoes.”
Montsho became a household name for her acting roles in Generations, Rhythm City, Jacob’s Cross, Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word and Lockdown.
“On a personal level, my greatest achievement has been able to write because I have always dreamt of being able to do that,” Montsho says.
“It was a very long process to get there and I worked hard on it. The other thing that moves me is being able to impact people because you can’t control that.”