Mapantsula

With in an introduction by the programm's curator Mosa Mpetha.

Mapantsula, one of the first true anti-apartheid motion pictures, was produced secretly in South Africa, evading the oppressive government by using a fake script to avoid police harassment. Co-written and co-directed by lead actor Thomas Mogotlane, this film was a rare example of Black and White talent working collaboratively to produce a film not only interrogating the nuance and complexity of apartheid oppression, but also showcasing the heavy weights of Black South African talent, including Dolly Rathebe, Simon Sabela and Mary Twala.

Screened at the 1988 Cannes Festival and submitted for an Academy Award, it later gained global acclaim. As a rebellious cultural work, it exposed apartheid's brutality to international audiences. Yet, despite its importance, it had remained notoriously difficult to see, with only poor-quality copies available. Now with a 4k restoration and renewed circulation in Europe and South Africa - this film hits just as hard, and provokes important and relevant conversation about fighting self-censorship and radically taking control of suppressed narratives. (Mosa Mpetha)