Top 20 South African films
This does not include Hollywood funded/distributed films. These are strictly home grown films using local talent except for in some cases, the directors and partially the cast.
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- DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsSharlto CopleyDavid JamesJason CopeViolence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.One of the best films of that decade. Easily Sharlto's best performance. I think it helped put South Africa on the map as a filmmaking community. Most people would say that Tsotsi did that, but Tsotsi was a very weak film that got exceedingly lucky. So it isn't on my list, and I'm aware that this is all subjective.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsN!xauMarius WeyersSandra PrinslooA comic allegory about a traveling Bushman who encounters modern civilization and its stranger aspects, including a clumsy scientist and a band of revolutionaries.What makes this film so special, is that it stands the test of time and is loved by all ages and cultures. It also stands out to me because it doesn't take itself seriously and leaves you wanting more. So they made more but never achieved the heights of this one.
- DirectorPeter BishaiStarsWandile MolebatsiJason HartmanMasello MotanaA story of love and friendship set against the violence of Apartheid in South Africa. It is a story of the ups and downs of the lives of the three main characters, and how their lives intersect over the years.One of the most riveting, beautiful films I've seen in the last ten years. Stelio Savante and Wandile Molebatsi give performances that are worthy of academy awards. The score is exceptional as well.
- DirectorDarrell RoodtStarsLeleti KhumaloLihle MvelasePepi KhambuleAfter falling ill, Yesterday learns that she is HIV positive. With her husband in denial and young daughter to tend to, Yesterday's one goal is to live long enough to see her child go to school.This film is rich with heart, it is defined by intelligent filmmaking and threads sensitively with a powerhouse performance by Leleti Khumalo
- DirectorMichael MatthewsStarsVuyo DabulaZethu Dlomo-MphahleleHamilton DlaminiLives change forever when Tau, the young lion, kills two corrupt policemen in a South African shanty town.It really falls in line with the contemporary or neo modern western genre, but has some strong apocalyptic themes. Visually stunning.
- DirectorSteven SilverStarsRyan PhillippeMalin AkermanTaylor KitschA drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa.I wasn't even aware of this story until I read about it in the newspaper and then learned about the film. Would have preferred a different actor in Taylor Kitsch's role but the film is still excellent.
- DirectorEtienne FourieStarsLeandie du RandtRoland ReedIan RobertsDie Windpomp is an endearing, humorous and quirky fantasy love story that revolves around a summer romance in a retirement village between 20 year old Hendri and Margot, with an unexpected twist.Magical yet simple. We need more films like this that resonate because of their theme and their compelling truthfulness.
- DirectorIan GabrielStarsBrendon DanielsJezriel SkeiLindiwe MatshikizaA young chess prodigy on Cape Town's violent Cape Flats is torn between the game and gang pressure, as lives intersect in a battle for redemption and survival.I disappeared into this film and world of family struggles when I watched it. While some of the performances are raw the film stays with you long after the credits roll. It also takes on the world of South African prisons like few other films have ever attempted beyond political reasons.
- DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsIdris ElbaNaomie HarrisTerry PhetoA chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.It took me about an hour to really get into this but once I did there was no looking back. Idris Elba is one of the greatest talents of his generation and this film showcases exactly why that is.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsSchalk BezuidenhoutHannes OttoGermandt GeldenhuysDrafted into the South African army during apartheid, a young soldier joins the military's travelling choir, and romance on the battlefield causes him to deal with his long-repressed sexual identity.I do enjoy musicals and was surprised by this one. It surpasses most of the recent Afrikaans films that I've seen, in that it doesn't feel like a made for television film with rather flat performances, instead it plays like cinema. It achieves what Moffie attempted but doesn't take itself too seriously which was easily Moffie's greatest downfall.
- DirectorZee NtuliStarsThishiwe ZiqubuPallance DladlaIsrael Matseke-ZuluWhen SKIETS, an enigmatic, beautiful stranger walks into small rural township tavern and demands a beer, TK, a charming local lothario sets out to seduce her in order to prove his prowess to the locals. When she spurns his attentions, he falls head over heels for her and seriously starts to woo her. However, Skiets is a dark horse and breaks TK's heart when she returns to the tavern the next night on the arm of MUGZA, the local hood! But...when Mugza discovers that Skiets has stolen his car keys and intends to make off with his most precious possession, he erupts. TK steps in to defend Skiets and before he knows it he is on his way to Johannesburg and the bright city lights with her - in the car that Mugza treasures above all else! Step in Gumede, a sophisticated, wealthy and dangerous crime lord who takes them under his wing when Skiets catches his eye. Skiets recognizes the type and is reticent to accept Gumede's money but TK is only too happy to spend it without any thought of the payback that will inevitably follow. When Gumede makes a move on Skiets, TK, sick with jealousy, decides to rob one of Gumede's own stores and pay him back with his own money. The action, mystery, love and drama continues.Loves this on so many levels. A smartly written and well edited noir that kept me guessing.
- DirectorErnest NkosiStarsEmmanuel Nkosinathi GwevaBusisiwe MtshaliMpho ModikoaneSet in Alexandra township, South Africa, a brother and sister journey through life knowing they have no one but each other. Schoolgirl Zanele falls in love with an older man where a series of events are set in motion and reveal much more.The subject matter isn't exactly enticing. But the film is brave, the performances come through. Ultimately it reveals some of the challenges of Township life with very grass roots conflicts that have stood as long as I've been around.
- DirectorJenna Cato BassStarsFaith BaloyiNicole FortuinIzel BezuidenhoutA contemporary Western, a journey of self-discovery for three different but equally trapped women. A portrait of femininity against a hostile land, questioning what it means to be a woman today in South Africa and the world at large.What's not to like with several female protagonists in a western genre. Flatland makes you think and with better known actors I think this film would have had great traction in the US and in Europe.
- DirectorRudolf BuitendachStarsIsaach De BankoléJuliet LandauStelio SavanteGeorge, a scientist living in Rotterdam is growing wary of the world of academia. The sudden death of an old friend is the incentive he needs to return to his African roots where he takes over a dilapidated field station in the jungle of Equatorial Guinea. There he meets an orphan boy with a sunny disposition who opens George's wary eyes to this colorful place. The boy plays matchmaker between George and the lady who runs the local orphanage and all seems rosy until an old friend of George's shows up out of nowhere to throw their lives into disarray as George discovers there are many obstacles on the road to redemption and a few more where the road runs out.This was filmed not far from where I grew up. At least part of it was. A beautifully shot feel good film with outstanding performances and a very honest look at life in modern day rural orphanages.
- DirectorNosipho DumisaStarsIrshaad AllyMonique RockmanDanny RossEntrapped in his apartment, Randal Hendricks, a recent paraplegic, is given a gift of binoculars by his devoted girlfriend, Pam. But Randal is in financial debt to Emmie, a sadistic loan shark, and when he witnesses a powerful criminal, named Lawyer, commit murder while observing his neighbours through binoculars, he initiates a treacherous blackmail scheme. Involving Warren, his halfwit friend with unabashed lust for Pam, is probably going to cost him, but with few people to turn to, Randal does it anyway and as circumstances become more complicated, Pam is embroiled in the unravelling chain of events. Before long, a detective, named Gail February comes snooping around the neighbourhood, looking for the missing corrupt cop - her partner. As Lawyer begins his own investigation in an attempt to find his blackmailer, Emmie compounds the pressure of his looming deadline, and Detective February's investigation draws her ever closer to Randal, the wheelchair-bound Randal must rely on the physical capabilities of his reluctant girlfriend to see their plan through. With deception and greed around every corner, what follows is a thrilling ride that puts both of their lives in mortal danger.While it is an obvious homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window, it still works. I loved the blackmailing angle and the psychological twists and turns even though the film is fairly contained.
- DirectorJoshua RousStarsAnel AlexanderNico PanagioSandra VaughnA young woman is desperate to save her company from a take-over. When she hears that being in a relationship will get her a deal, she hires a model to be her fake boyfriend.Pure entertainment and joy although that is also the film's downfall. It couldn't decide if it was a parity (Of American Rom-coms) because of its repetitive cliches, or if it was simply a South African story with quirky characters in a magnificent landscape.
- DirectorOliver SchmitzStarsKhomotso ManyakaKeaobaka MakanyaneHarriet LenabeA touching mother-daughter relationship that reflects the modern South Africa.Heart-wrenching, sobering and far too on the nose which is a good thing. The matriarchal characters and theme are not utilized enough in film and this story weaves in so many social themes that help progress the story, it is impossible to not be impressed.
- DirectorGuy NattivStarsJamie BellDanielle MacdonaldDaniel HenshallA destitute young man, raised by racist skinheads and notorious among white supremacists, turns his back on hatred and violence to transform his life, with the help of a black activist and the woman he loves.Yes the film is partially British but the South African true life story and characters are as grass roots as it gets. Another look at the racial struggles and effects of policies that limited people's lives. But what separates it, is the provocative non apologetic compass with which it is directed.
- DirectorRene van RooyenStarsElani DekkerStiaan SmithIra Blanckenberg"Toorbos" explores the uprooting of a young forest woman and her community during the time of the last forest inhabitants of South Africa's Knysna forest of the 1930s.There is something so mythical and nostalgic about Toorbos. Easily one of the best South African character driven films we've seen in a long time.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsSandra PrinslooMarius WeyersAlbert PretoriusA modern adaption of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL: a famous actress pays summer visits to her brother and her son on their country estate, and one year she brings along her lover, a successful writer. This leads to familial conflict, heartbreak, and tragedy.A very courageous attempt and adaption of Chekhov's The Seagull. Good to see Weyers and Prinsloo again.