Liminal Space

Production by Dumisa Lengwati & Jason Randall

Liminal Space explores the difficulties of a developing country trying to preserve cultural knowledge and traditions that have been passed down through generations. It investigates the difficulties faced in the South African health sector as western methods and traditional remedies collide and where is difficult for traditional healers to be taken seriously. The documentary asks questions around whether or not South Africa is capable of formulating policies to legitimise the ancient practice of traditional healing.

Durban Derby

Production by Natalie Austin & Taryn Isaac

Fast. Kick-ass sport. And a whole lot of girl power. Welcome to the world of Roller Derby.
This new, underground sport in Durban has grown over the last two years, after it was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. Two teams, Eve’s KanEvils and the MissFits, are followed during this 24-minute documentary to explore and capture the dynamic sport through different perspectives. Their personal experiences and insights are shared on the perception of the evolving presentation of women’s identity within the sport.

Ons is maar almal net mens

Production by Robyn Wertheim & Cindy Archillies

Ons is maar almal net mens is a highly personal film about negotiations of the “coloured” identity within two families and over three generations. Six people discuss whether or not they consider themselves “coloured” and what it means to them. As filmmakers we are members of the two families which made this film a highly personal one. We asked each character when they first found out that they were coloured and what this label meant to them.

Ubudoda Abukhulelwa – Male Circumcision

Investigative report by Lilian Magari & Noxolo Mafu

In 2013 some 70 initiates died and a further 567 were hospitalized as a result of botched traditional circumcisions in the Eastern Cape. The practice of traditional male circumcision serves as a rite of passage in the Xhosa culture as young boy’s transition to young men. However, in the Eastern Cape there has been much media coverage of illegal circumcision schools, serve health complications and even death, as a result of traditional circumcision. The introduction of the Medical Male circumcision drive launched by the Department of Health, has offered an alternative to this practice. Within this is Eastern Cape these two approaches are seen to be in conflict.

Ubudoda Abukulelwa, seeks to find out whether the government initiated Medical Male Circumcision program (MMC) will prove redundant in the Eastern Cape. The documentary seeks to find out what it means to be a man in contemporary South Africa. The intention of the film is to also fuel discussion and challenge the stereotypical narratives regarding male circumcision.

Below The Bread Line

Investigative report by Jason Randall & Dumisa Lengwati.

Unemployment within the South African context is a complex and diverse social issue with no simple solutions. Nowhere is this more visibly evident than in the Eastern Cape, with its pervasive rural and agricultural legacy. Despite the presence of a higher educational institution such as Rhodes University, as well as elite private schools, the problems of unemployment and poverty still persist in Grahamstown and the Makana municipality. While there are many organisational strategies to provide employment, this type of temporary employment is limited and does not provide a stable income or a sense of financial security. This has created a large demand for employment within Grahamstown’s informal sector.

Below the Breadline explores if Makana Municipality’s legislation is doing enough to alleviate the social issues of unemployment and poverty in Grahamstown?