Still from The Hangman.
-- --
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Pinterest
This September, Showmax is bringing you an award-winning line-up of local favourites, from a hit horror film that's up for eight Africa Movie Academy Awards next month, to a multi-award-winning short film that's in the running for the Oscars next year, to two of South Africa's favourite soap operas and telenovelas express from Mzansi Magic. Here are seven highlights to add to your Watchlist straight away
Siembamba (The Lullaby)
-- --
Premise: Chloe thought her depression was caused by her child's birth. Then she starts to suspect that an evil entity is haunting them, but nobody believes her
Why you should watch: Postpartum depression is terrifying already, even before you add in evil spirits. The horror movie was released in over 150 cinemas in the USA rare for an SA film and has an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Accolades: Siembamba is nominated for eight Africa Movie Academy Awards in October, including Best Film, Best Director (Darrell Roodt) and Best Actress (Reine Swart). It was also nominated for two SAFTAs.
The Hangman
Premise: Khetha (Thato DH Dhladla) is a black prison warder guarding black inmates in Pretoria Central Prison's gallows near the end of Apartheid. His job is further complicated when his estranged father (Khulu Skenjana) is transferred to Death Row.
Why you should watch: 1. It's in the running for the Oscars in 2019, having won Best Foreign Film at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts. 2. Director Zwelethu Radebe is a talent to watch and a Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African selection for 2018.
Accolades: The Hangman's awards tally is already in double digits, and includes Best South African Short Film at the Durban, Jozi and Shnit film festivals, and Best African Short Film at Zanzibar International Film Festival, among other accolades.
Shepherds and Butchers
Premise: Oscar-nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena) plays a lawyer trying to prevent a prison hangman from being hanged himself.
Why you should watch: 1. It will give you lots to say the next time the death penalty comes up as a solution to South Africa's challenges. 2. Oliver Schmitz is one of South Africa's top directors, responsible for classics like Mapantsula and the Oscar-shortlisted Life, Above All.
Accolades: Oliver Schmitz won Best Director at the SAFTAs last year.
The Queen S3, express
Premise: Connie Ferguson is back for a third season in her career-defining role as trophy-wife-turned-matriarch-and-drug-lord Harriet Khoza, one of South Africa's most loved villains.
Why you should watch: Connie and Shona Ferguson. Rami Chuene. Themba Ndaba. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube. Thembsie Matu. Just don't get too attached; you can never be sure who the show will kill off next
Accolades: Thembsie Matu and Rami Chuene are competing against each other to be named South Africa's favourite actress at this year's DStv Viewers Choice Awards. The Queen was also nominated for three 2018 SAFTAs.
Isithembiso S2, express
Premise: After matric, Simi and Zamani leave their families behind to pursue a better life in Johannesburg, where a heist is about to go badly wrong
Why you should watch: It's made by Bomb, the production company behind Yizo Yizo, Isibaya and many more of your favourite TV shows.
Accolades: Hamilton Dlamini won Best Actor TV Soap / Telenovela for his role as Banzi The Wolf of Braamfontein' Kunene at this year's SAFTAs, where the series was up for four awards, including Best Telenovela. Londeka Mchunu won Best Newcomer Actress at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards.
Hotel S2
Premise: An Afrikaans mockumentary about a middle-aged hotel manager, Ferdie Kruger (James Borthwick), struggling to keep the doors of his Mpumalanga hotel open.
Why you should watch: Schalk Bezuidenhout is hilarious. As always.
Accolades: Schalk Bezuidenhout won the 2018 SAFTA for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Season one won Best Comedy Script at the 2017 SAFTAs.
Die Boekklub S2 due 17 September 2018
Premise: In season one, Cape Town hipster Tom (Armand Aucamp) inherited a guest house in the Karoo and a book club. Season two finds him now running the guest house alongside Sofia (June van Merch) and yes, they're still fighting every day
Why you should watch: Die Boekklub is a quirky gem and one of the most acclaimed Afrikaans dramedies of recent years.
Accolades: Jana Cilliers has won the SAFTA for Best Supporting Actress two years in a row. Louis Pretorius won Best TV Drama Script in 2017.
Other African-linked highlights coming to Showmax in September include:
Abraham, the final film of Afrikaans film legend Jans Rautenbach, who Screen Africa hailed as arguably South Africa's most celebrated and, at the same time, most controversial filmmaker. Jans passed away in 2016 age 80, a year after Abraham opened to rave reviews in South Africa
Phil 101, a 2018 SAFTA-nominated sitcom set in a philosophy department, starring Bennie Fourie, Philippus Boshoff, and Frank Opperman
Afrikaans surf film Die Pro, starring Edwin van der Walt, based on Leon de Villiers' multi-award-winning novel
The People Vs. Patriarchy, Lebogang Rasethaba's much-talked-about MTV documentary that followed on from The People Vs The Rainbow Nation, due 17 September 2018
Kokkedoortjie, a SAFTA-nominated cooking show for children between the ages of 9 and 13, due 20 September 2018
Season two of the charming animated series Zafari, about a zoo of unique creatures near Mount Kilimanjaro, due 24 September 2018
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Pinterest
-- --
Africa Stories
24/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 23 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
24/04/2024
Endearing Simpsons character killed off' after 35 years, fans in shockAn often-seen yet seldom-discussed character from the popular show The Simpsons drops...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Pretty is shocked by what she finds out about LehasaDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
23/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes asks Isaac to hold off going to the cops un...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 22 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
23/04/2024
Skeem Saam' May Spoiler: Inside Mr Kgomo, Eunice's romance? Skeem Saam' May teasers reveal that Melita will be jealous of Mr Kgomo and Eunice's ...
23/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle takes a huge risk on her quest to save her daughterDon't miss Tuesday, 23 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Sc...
22/04/2024
[Watch] Artists covering their favourite classicsArtists often watch other performers to get some of their inspiration. Check out some of these classic famous s...
22/04/2024
WATCH: Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Par...
22/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Funani informs Isaac about Nkosi seeing his hijacker ...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: The carpet is pulled out from under NhlamuloDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv ...
22/04/2024
LGBTQ writers asked to submit their storiesWriters have been asked to submit their short stories (up to 20, 000 words) for an upcoming anthology called Just LG...
22/04/2024
[Watch] Queen of hip-hop Lil2Hood thanks ParisProducer and DJ Lil2Hood (Flash.Wrldwide) has proved that she's a queen of modern hip-hop. Lil2Hood thanked Pa...
22/04/2024
Isaac Mutant: HemelBesem gave me R2, 500'Cape town rapper Isaac Mutant claims he was paid less than everyone else's fee for the use of his music in Sho...
22/04/2024
Afrikaans (free) television shows you can STILL watchAfrikaans television shows are making a comeback through AfriForumTV. However, not everyone wants to see sh...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Virginia learns Sonto and Sakhile slept togetherDon't miss Monday, 22 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Smo...
22/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kgosi reveals the details of what he witnessed Lehasa doi...
21/04/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire' loses more viewers on DStvTshedza Pictures' isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire' lost more viewers in March and was plac...
21/04/2024
Youngins' fans praise actor Thabiso Ramotshela as MahlatseSouth Africans praise former The River' actor Thabiso Ramotshela, who plays Mahlatse in Showm...
20/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 19 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa panics when she learns of possible evide...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Khwezi stares death in the faceDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 on DSt...
19/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith refuses to talk to Zola and to discuss the matt...
19/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
19/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimesDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the re...
19/04/2024
House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and OnaThe House of Zwide' May teasers reveal that Soka will date both Ona and Mampho and get caught. Will h...
19/04/2024
Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their loveBeer is one of the world's most popular beverages. We asked several celebrities about their favourite brews or ...
19/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from TapsDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.t...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedd...
18/04/2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAYTaylor Swift will release her highly anticipated record The Tortured Poets Departme...
18/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motionDon't miss Thursday, 18 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story
by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...
18/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...
18/04/2024
Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...
18/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
18/04/2024
Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...
17/04/2024
Isitha: The Enemy' is the second-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's popular telenovela, Isitha: The Enemy' secured second place on the channel with over...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one...
17/04/2024
Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?The trailer debate is on! We'd like to spark the debate What's your favourite South African mov...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeedsDon't miss Wednesday, 17 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
17/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hij...
17/04/2024
Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...
17/04/2024
Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...
17/04/2024
Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...
17/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
17/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
Still from The Hangman.
