Review: Nobody's Died Laughing

Proof that comedy is a serious business

Documentary: Nobody’s Died Laughing

Director: Willem Oelofson

This is a documentary all about comedian, satirist and activist Pieter-Dirk Uys.

Everyone knows him as the alter ego of Tannie Evita.  This documentary goes behind the scenes and shows you what it is like for this artist to perform all over South Africa and all over 

the world.

The documentary also shows you the evolution of Pieter-Dirk Uys how he has moved from satire to now providing children with free Aids-awareness entertainment programmes.

The documentary goes back and forth in time and shows you how he got his first break and how he has acted in many shows all over South Africa.  We also get to see where he stays in Darling and how he has helped the community of Darling not only with a Theatre but he has also helped out with costs towards the swimming pool. 

The documentary is very well shot and features some very famous people who share their insights about Pieter-Dirk Uys.  We get some interesting information about this star from the likes of Charlize Theron, Desmond Tutu, Janet Suzman, Zapiro, David Kramer and even Sophia Loren. 

The documentary follows Pieter-Dirk Uys around the Grahamstown Festival, we see him in England and in Berlin. 

At times deeply thought provoking, at other times emotional and in many instances very funny.  Learn what satire is all about.

For artists this documentary is highly recommended, you will certainly learn what it takes to perform in your own shows. 

This is a man who has done over 7000 performances of a 1 man show.

Rating: Highly Recommended

The documentary is showing at the Durban International Film Festival.

Next showing: 26 June | 21:30 | Playhouse

For more info visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za  | #DIFF2016

Review by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton

Interview With Film Director John Barker

Last week I managed to sit down with the director of 'Wonderboy For President' John Barker.

I asked him some questions on directing.

What does a director do?

You work with actors, get a good script and get the best performances out of the actors.

Tell us about the film?

5 years ago we wanted to make a film about politics. It revolves around 2 guys who run the ANC's Braamfontein offices. 

How did you fund it?

Through friends and our own money.

What advice do you have for young film makers starting out?

Get a decent story, a couple of characters, a 2 handler, sell the people on the idea.

'Wonderboy For President' is showing at the Durban International Film Festival.

Next screenings

22June 12pm KCAP KwaMashu

23 June 12pm Umlazi W Library

24 June 12pm Creative Arts College

25 June 2pm Playhouse

For more info visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za

This article by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Filmmaking Tips by Todd Brown

The Durban FilmMart has some amazing workshops on the go.  I sat in on one of the workshops with filmmaker Todd Brown from XYZ Films. 

He shared some advice for aspiring filmmakers on how to build their brand and audience.  Here are some of his tips:

‘If you’re not making something you are not a filmmaker’

‘Go out and make something’

‘Be strategic and produce quality stuff’

‘If you want a festival to possibly select your short film for screening the short film should be around 8 – 12min’

‘Put your short films online, short films online should be around 6min or a bit more’

The Durban FilmMart has some more amazing workshops and panel discussions for filmmakers and is on till Monday 20 June 2016.

For more info visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton  

Your Weekend Event Guide Durban

Plenty to do and see this weekend.

Saturday and Sunday

 

 

The Journeymen Exhibtion

See the photographic exhibition from the team that brought you The Journeymen and see their visual encounter of South Africa only at the KZNSA, 166 Bulwer Road.  The KZNSA is also the hub for the Short Films on show at the Durban International Film Festival.

Sunday

 

Enjoy a free wavescape film on the Bay of Plenty Lawns on Sunday.

 

 

Win Tickets To Dora's Pirate Adventure

This adventure stage show is just around the corner.  Come and see Dora the Explorer Live!

The show runs in Durban from 1^st to 3^rd July at the Durban ICC.

Bookings at Computicket. 

Families and kids are invited to join Dora and her pals Boots and Diego on a voyage of discovery as they embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island in search of the ultimate pirate party.

For more info go to www.nickelodeonafrica.com

Follow them on Twitter @NickAfrica

Like them on Facebook at Nickelodeon

#DoraLiveSA

The good folks at Dora’s Pirate Adventure have given us some tickets to the show just for you.*

All you have to do is answer this easy question

Who is Dora? Is she:

A.      Dora The Architect or

B.      Dora The Treasure Hunter or

C.      Dora The Explorer

Email your answer with your name and contact details to falconscove@gmail.com

Please put Dora in the subject line

Good luck!

*Ts and Cs apply.

Free Screenings at Durban International Film Festival 2016

The Durban International Film Festival, which takes place from June 16 to 26, will host a series of free public screenings. The DIFF will travel to Clermont, Kwangcolosi, Inanda, Umlazi, KwaMashu and the city centre, where people will have the opportunity to watch this year’s opening night film

The Journeymen as well as the comedy Wonder Boy for President, starring Kagiso Lediga.

The Journeymen

The Journeymen is a documentary filmed in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death. The film chronicles the freewheeling journey of three South African photographers (Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus De Wet) across the country as they explore the current state of South Africa with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests, feeling its pulse and asking the question: “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?” The film answers this question with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that is

disturbing, beautiful, thought provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal. The film shows the underlying demons of our troubled national soul but also its deep and profound beauty. Made with technology that is widely accessible, the film is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative.

Directed by John Barker, Wonder Boy for President tells a story of Wonder Boy, a charismatic and authoritative young man from the Eastern Cape (played by master comedian Kagiso Lediga), who is coerced into running for president by two dubious and corrupt characters played by Ntosh Madlingozi and Tony Miyambo. Their aim is to mould him into a great politician and manufacture his downfall at the right time, for the right price. It is a political satire that delves into political dynamics and the challenges that arise.

Programme – both films will be screened each day

Saturday, 18 June at 10:00am at Clermont Library

Monday, 20 June at 10:00am at Wushwini Arts Centre at Kwangcolosi

Tuesday, 21 June at 10:00am at Ohlange Library, Inanda

Thursday, 23 June at 10:00am Umlazi W Library W

Friday, 24 June at 10:00am at Creative Arts College on Dr Pixley Kasema Street (West Street)

Saturday, 25 June at 10:00am at KwaMashu Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre (KCAP)

For enquiries call 031 260 2506

Web: www.durbanfilmfest.co.za,

Twitter @Diffest

Facebook page Durbaninternationalfilmfestival.

Article by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton

Image - Supplied by DIFF