South African riller Of Good Report opens Film Africa festival

Film Africa, London's annual celebration of African cinema, returns for a third year with a line-up of more than 60 films from across the continent, in six venues across London from 1 to 10 November.

Film Africa 2013 launches with controversial film Of Good Report from South African director Jahmil XT Qubeka. Briefly banned from showing at the Durban International Film Festival on account of its provocative, Lolita-inspired subject matter, Of Good Report is a thrilling, devilishly comic and supremely assured work from one of Africa's most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers.

The festival will also see the UK premiere of 2013 South African/ Canadian production Jeppe on a Friday, directed and written by Arya Lalloo and Shannon Walsh. Filmed over a single afternoon by eight women filmmakers in Johannesburg's downtown east side, this fascinating documentary reveals disparate worlds that co-exist side by side. It follows the routines of five residents of Jeppe, one of South Africa's oldest suburbs, as they go about their day.

At times, the juxtaposition of privilege and power with poverty and powerlessness makes for gruelling viewing but ultimately this is a profound and poignant snapshot of the lives and desires of a community. It will be screened at 6.30pm on Monday 4 November at Hackney Picturehouse.

On 5 November, Film Africa presents Bonfires and Revolutions: an evening of politics and protest in African cinema. Films exploring the legacy of revolutions and social change across the continent include the astonishing documentary Babylon by a trio of first-time directors from Tunisia, and which follows the refugee crisis in Libya. This special programme also includes Something Necessary, Kenyan director Judy Kibinge's powerful and sensitively observed film about the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007.

Film Africa 2013 also includes a new strand, 3 x 3, featuring three films from major names in African cinema. We will profile the work of Chadian director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, who has cemented his reputation as one of the most respected auteurs in world cinema in the last two decades. His latest film, the charming and surprising Grisgris (closing night film), will be screened alongside two of his other major works, Dry Season and A Screaming Man.

Other directors featured in the 3 x 3 strand are award-winning Franco-Senegalese visionary Alain Gomis, who will present all three of his feature films in person; and experimental filmmaker and actor Mati Diop, niece of legendary Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambety, whose film Touki Bouki, we are also screening in celebration of its 40 year anniversary.

Film Africa 2013 also celebrates Nigeria's vibrant film industry with Coming of age: Celebrating 21 years of Nollywood, featuring special full length screenings of classics Living in Bondage and Osuofia in London.

Other highlights include a programme of innovative short films in competition for the Baobab Award.

Organised by the Royal African Society (RAS), the UK's prime Africa organisation, Film Africa 2013 will also feature a vibrant programme of live events including music performances, directorial masterclasses and intimate Q&As with directors and other free special events for families and young people.

The films in this year's festival continue to reveal new images of Africa - wealthy, global and dynamic; still full of challenges, but brimming with confidence. These films go beneath the surface of the headlines to tell stories of ordinary and extraordinary life in Africa, said RAS director Richard Dowden.

Participating venues in Film Africa 2013 are Hackney Picturehouse, Rich Mix, Ritzy Brixton, South London Gallery, BFI Southbank, and Cine Lumiere, South Kensington.

Tickets for all screenings and events are available from participating venues and www.filmafrica.org.uk

LINK:	http://www.thesouthafrican.com/entertainment/south-african-thriller-of...
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