Les Miserables Wins Best Picture at Durban Intl. Film Festival
26/07/2019
Les Miserables, French director Ladj Lys riveting portrayal of racial division and unrest in the banlieues of Paris, won best picture at the 40th Durban Intl. Film Festival Tuesday night. By Christopher Vourlias
The jury described the film, which shared the jury prize in Cannes this year, as a searing portrait of modern France which takes on issues of police brutality, racial tension, and of generations who keep repeating the same mistakes, heralding its raw power and complex ideas while calling it a piece of bravura filmmaking. Les Miserables also won the award for best screenplay.
Lys incendiary film set the tone for a closing ceremony that, as it commemorated DIFFs 40th edition, offered a reminder that a festival born in a spirit of protest against the injustices of apartheid still had a vital role to play in the shaping of the South African and African conscience.
DIFF has taken tonight to honor the truth-tellers that we feel have tapped into the zeitgeist of our 2019 seismic moment, said Lliane Loots, acting director of the Center for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which manages the festival.
Loots praised the filmmakers gathered at Tuesdays award ceremony for bringing light into covered places, for showing us that beauty does still exist, and for asking us to expect more from our art, and thus from ourselves, as a nation, as a continent, that is still reeling and healing from histories of pain and hurt.
The best director award went to Brazils Gabriel Mascaro, for his dystopian near-future drama Divine Love. The award for best South African film went to Back of the Moon, the noir-inspired portrait of 1950s Sophiatown, directed by Angus Gibson.
The festival also handed out Legacy Awards to longtime Center for Creative Arts director Peter Rorvik, who was a steady hand at the helm of the festival for more than a decade, and Julie Frederikse and Madoda Ncayiyana, the producer and director of Izulu Lami, widely considered to be the first film shot in the Zulu language. A Legacy Award was also shared by Roz Sarkin and Moosa Moosa, who co-founded the Durban film festival.
Accepting the award on behalf of his late father, who also founded the pioneering Avalon Cinema chain, AB Moosa paid tribute to the risks that were taken to get the festival off the ground. Many of the films under the guise of the film festival would have normally been banned by the apartheid government, he said, adding that ninety percent of the familys business was expropriated as punishment for the role it played in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Moosa concluded by sharing a story that illustrated how film and protest in South Africa have long gone hand in hand. It began with a late-night knock on his fathers door, when the political activist Barney Desai - father of the acclaimed documentary filmmaker Rehad Desai - arrived to hand over the keys to Avalons Cape Town cinema. Desai was on the run from the apartheid police, and Moosas grandfather had arranged for him to be smuggled out of the port in Durban.
Desai vanished into exile, and when he returned years later, the Moosa family was there to greet him--what AB Moosa described as a wonderful feeling.
He added: This is in memory of those heroes that did wonderful work.
Here is a complete list of Tuesdays awards:
Best Cinematography: Divine Love, directed by Gabriel Mascaro
Best Short Film: Acid, directed by Just Philippot
Best Actor: Bongile Mantsai for Knuckle City
Best Screenplay: Les Miserables, directed by Ladj Ly
Best South African Short Film: Miracle, directed by Bongi Ndaba
Best Documentary: For Sama, directed Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab
Best African Short Film: Brotherhood, directed by Meryam Joobeur
Best Editing: Cronofobia, directed by Francesco Rizzi
Best Actress: Nisrin Erradi for Adam
Best Direction: Divine Love, directed by Gabriel Mascaro
Best South African Documentary: Buddha in Africa, directed by Nicole Schafer
Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award at DIFF 2019: For Sama, directed by Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab
Best Feature Film: Les Miserables, directed by Ladj Ly
Artistic Bravery: Letters Of Hope, directed by Vusi Africa
Best South African Feature Film: Back of the Moon, directed by Angus Gibson
DIFF Legacy Award: Peter Rorvik
DIFF Legacy Award: Roz Sarkin and Moosa Moosa
DIFF Legacy Award: Julie Frederikse and Madoda Ncayiyana
www.variety.com
Film Festivals
Africa South Africa
LINK: | http://www.filmcontact.com/news/south-africa/les-miserables-wins-best-... |
See more stories from filmcontact |
Africa Stories
19/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...
19/03/2024
Umkhokha: The Curse - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Umkhokha: The Curse - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Af...
19/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South A...
19/03/2024
Muvhango: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Muvhango: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
19/03/2024
Uzalo: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [video]
Uzalo: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African website. ...
19/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...
19/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 18 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
18/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Nomusa leaves Moketsi's house in a rush
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Nomusa leaves Moketsi's house in a rushDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie My...
18/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zola discovers she's pregnant
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zola discovers she's pregnantDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on e.t...
18/03/2024
Big Brother Mzansi 4: Papa Ghost secures back-to-back Head of House wins
Big Brother Mzansi 4: Papa Ghost secures back-to-back Head of House winsPapa Ghost has clinched consecutive victories as Head of the House in the latest edition...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi takes a drastic decision
Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi takes a drastic decisionDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uzalo on SABC 1 on DStv channel ...
18/03/2024
Streaming today: Vida the Vet' on Netflix - 18 March 2024
Streaming today: Vida the Vet' on Netflix - 18 March 2024Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your fav...
18/03/2024
Skeem Saam': Is Tobias Maswahla Evelyn's son?
Skeem Saam': Is Tobias Maswahla Evelyn's son?Is actor Sicelo Buthelezi's character Tobias Maswahla related to Deputy Principal Evelyn Maswahla in S...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Khensani tries to mend his friendship with Sphe
Tonight on Generations: Khensani tries to mend his friendship with SpheDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Generation...
18/03/2024
Question: Did George Lucas rip off Dune?
Question: Did George Lucas rip off Dune?Miles Phillips explores Dune's Legacy and its echo in Star Wars, claiming that the former is among the best science ...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Jacobeth kicks Bullet to the curb
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Jacobeth kicks Bullet to the curbDon't miss Monday, 16 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on D...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Muvhango: Matshidiso finds incriminating information on Nkele
Tonight on Muvhango: Matshidiso finds incriminating information on NkeleDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango ...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: In a haze of alcohol, Sakhile knocks down Fanyana
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: In a haze of alcohol, Sakhile knocks down FanyanaDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Sm...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's bad PR costs him more than he can afford
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's bad PR costs him more than he can affordDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! o...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Champions: Lebo's family are tearing him apart
Tonight on Champions: Lebo's family are tearing him apartDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Champions on Mzansi ...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Msimelelo lays down the rules at the Tshisa Nyama
Tonight on Gqeberha: Msimelelo lays down the rules at the Tshisa NyamaDon't miss Monday, 18 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Gqeberha: T...
18/03/2024
Tonight on Umkhokha: Zisebenzele makes a bet with Khululiwe that Siphamandla will do it within a week
Tonight on Umkhokha: Zisebenzele makes a bet with Khululiwe that Siphamandla wil...
17/03/2024
WATCH: Highlights from the 2024 Cape Town Carnival [video]
WATCH: Highlights from the 2024 Cape Town Carnival [video]The Mother City's biggest annual street parade returned to Green Point on Saturday with the Cape T...
17/03/2024
WATCH: Highlights from the 2024 Cape Town Carnival
WATCH: Highlights from the 2024 Cape Town CarnivalThe Mother City's biggest annual street parade returned to Green Point on Saturday with the Cape Town Carn...
17/03/2024
Young Papi leaves Big Brother Mzansi'
Young Papi leaves Big Brother Mzansi'Young Papi was the thirteenth housemate to get evicted from the Big Brother Mzansi' reality TV show on Sunday, 17...
17/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors': Why Thandiswa might dump Caesar
Smoke and Mirrors': Why Thandiswa might dump Caesar Smoke and Mirrors' spoilers reveal that Caesar will propose marriage to Thandiswa. Will she stay wit...
16/03/2024
What an honour': Uzalo' bids farewell to Baby Cele
What an honour': Uzalo' bids farewell to Baby CeleSABC1's most-watched soapie, Uzalo' bids farewell to actress Baby Cele, who portrays the rol...
16/03/2024
Must-watch true-crime trailer: Original Sin: My Son The Killer'
Must-watch true-crime trailer: Original Sin: My Son The Killer' Original Sin: My Son The Killer' follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen ...
16/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper' renewed for another season
My Brother's Keeper' renewed for another seasonMzansi Magic's hit telenovela My Brother's Keeper' which replaced Gomora' has been rene...
15/03/2024
Call for entries is now open for the 18th Annual South African Film and Television Awards SAFTAs18
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
15/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...
15/03/2024
Uzalo: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [video]
Uzalo: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African website. ...
15/03/2024
Big Brother Mzansi 4: Yolanda has been disqualified
Big Brother Mzansi 4: Yolanda has been disqualifiedYolanda has been disqualified from the Big Brother Mzansi game following controversy stemming from remarks ma...
15/03/2024
It's not easy': Former defence minister's wife on Widows Unveiled'
It's not easy': Former defence minister's wife on Widows Unveiled...
15/03/2024
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
15/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
15/03/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
15/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Friday's episode, 15 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...
15/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: John drops charges against Bullet, but it comes with a condition
Tonight on Skeem Saam: John drops charges against Bullet, but it comes with a co...
15/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Nkosiyabo is furious to hear what Ayanda did behind his back
Tonight on Generations: Nkosiyabo is furious to hear what Ayanda did behind his ...
15/03/2024
Dutch art fair reports record' prices for Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso works
Dutch art fair reports record' prices for Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso w...
15/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...
15/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
15/03/2024
House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 14 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African...
15/03/2024
Streaming today: Chicken Nugget' on Netflix - 15 March 2024
Streaming today: Chicken Nugget' on Netflix - 15 March 2024Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your f...
15/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Being a Frans'
Prison Journalism: Being a Frans'Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 un...
15/03/2024
The Fall Guy' smashes Guinness World Record for epic stunt
The Fall Guy' smashes Guinness World Record for epic stunt The Fall Guy has shattered records and redefined the limits of action cinema stunt driver Logan H...
15/03/2024
Izangane zeS'thembu': Mseleku siblings return for season two
Izangane zeS'thembu': Mseleku siblings return for season twoThe second season of Izingane zeS'thembu is expected to launch soon as the Mseleku child...
15/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: MaMlambo's attempts to save Nomkhosi are in vain
Tonight on Uzalo: MaMlambo's attempts to save Nomkhosi are in vainDon't miss Friday, 15 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uzalo on SA...
15/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Maria encourages Mampho to support Busi
Tonight on House of Zwide: Maria encourages Mampho to support BusiDon't miss Friday, 15 March's riveting episode of South African soapie House of Zwide ...