Film ‘1960’ aims to move South African audiences
THE production team of the opening film for this year’s installation of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) have promised viewers a roller-coaster of emotions when they view the one-of-a-kind storyline of the movie 1960 when it airs on Thursday.
The film’s co-producer, co-writer and composer, Bruce Retief, said the synopsis of the story 1960 begins in present-day Sharpeville, near Johannesburg and ventures into the murder of an apartheid-era policeman and the relationship between him and a famous singer.
Retief said the inspiration behind the storyline stemmed from his love for art, music, history telling, writing, and his love for South Africans.
He said that although the script was in English, and the film mostly features locals, the target audience was not limited to any particular demographic, as he aimed to make this universal love story accessible to everyone.
Retief said that viewers could look forward to many lessons from the movie.
“The main theme or lesson from the movie is to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. This happens to several characters in the film who find their voice and stand up against someone that is oppressing them. It includes a racial context of 1960, however, it was not limited to that because there are a lot of people who are subjugated by others in their lives, so the movie encourages them to stand up for themselves and say ‘Enough is enough’,” he said.
He said the cast consisted of local,
talented actors and did not particularly focus on famous faces.
Retief said the movie was made possible by his friend, executive producer Khaya Maseko, whom he approached for assistance with funding of the movie and also came on board as co-writer.
Another friend, Michael Mutombo, wore many hats and co-produced with him, was the director of photography and directed the present-day scenes. He also assisted in writing the script.
King Shaft directed the 1960 parts of the movie and also assisted in writing the script.
According to Marlyn Ntsele, marketing manager for DIFF, the opening film, 1960, was curated as part of the programme by their curatorial team and chosen due to its strong topic and relevance to the South African context.
She said the festival was not aimed at making a profit and that all income made would go back into the festival to cover the costs.
This year’s 43rd edition of the festival is presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of Kwazulu-natal and will run from Thursday until July 30. DIFF also has a developmental strand, the Isiphethu programme, consisting of a seminar and workshop component to stimulate industry development.
The festival will be a hybrid event, with both online and live screenings. The physical screenings will be at
Cinecentre Suncoast Cinema at R115, including a soda and popcorn for the opening and closing (Music is My Life) films and R75 for all other films. DIFF will also present its full programme free virtually at durbanfilmfest.com.
Isiphethu on tour kicked off yesterday and will run until July 26. Community screenings will take place at Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Ubuntu Nest in Howick, Denis Hurley Centre in Durban, Kcap in Kwamashu and Wushwini in Kwangcolosi.