THE advent and success of Nollywood movies has unleashed an unprecedented torrent of small budget movie making in this country.
Inspired by Dr Ibu, Aki and Paw Paw, despondent South African filmmakers, who in the past relied on the SABC for funding to make movies, have risen from the dead with their version of township movies.
Among the first to hit the streets was Moruti Wa Tsotsi, produced by musicians Chicco Twala and Senyaka, who also starred in the movie.
The latest I have come across is Bhuti Madlisa, written, produced and directed by unknown NZB Majola, whose mission is also to revolutionise the local film industry.
The movie, which is scheduled to hit the shelves of retail stores this month, is about township stereotypes. It features unknown cast members owing to a small budget.
The quality and cinematography is not of great importance here. It's all about living the township life and depicting it as best as possible, and in the process making people laugh at themselves.
Majola's Bhuti Madlisa, shot in Zulu with English subtitles, chronicles the life of a womaniser who has a woman in every corner of the township and spends his time moving from one to the next.
He eventually falls deeply in love with a woman from Cape Town, whom he intends to marry. But he learns on the verge of the wedding that it is actually his twin sister from whom he was separated at birth when she was given up for adoption.
"The reason I believe every person in the township needs to see it is that it addresses what is happening to black people in the township. Every person who sees it could never go into any relationship without in-depth and careful thinking," Majola says.
Like all township movies the craftsmanship is not of a high standard but this filmmaker will tell you that it is the telling of township stories that is paramount.
The movie was shot over 11 days in and around Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, with a crew of about 10 people.
More Local movies
THE advent and success of Nollywood movies has unleashed an unprecedented torrent of small budget movie making in this country.
Inspired by Dr Ibu, Aki and Paw Paw, despondent South African filmmakers, who in the past relied on the SABC for funding to make movies, have risen from the dead with their version of township movies.
Among the first to hit the streets was Moruti Wa Tsotsi, produced by musicians Chicco Twala and Senyaka, who also starred in the movie.
The latest I have come across is Bhuti Madlisa, written, produced and directed by unknown NZB Majola, whose mission is also to revolutionise the local film industry.
The movie, which is scheduled to hit the shelves of retail stores this month, is about township stereotypes. It features unknown cast members owing to a small budget.
The quality and cinematography is not of great importance here. It's all about living the township life and depicting it as best as possible, and in the process making people laugh at themselves.
Majola's Bhuti Madlisa, shot in Zulu with English subtitles, chronicles the life of a womaniser who has a woman in every corner of the township and spends his time moving from one to the next.
He eventually falls deeply in love with a woman from Cape Town, whom he intends to marry. But he learns on the verge of the wedding that it is actually his twin sister from whom he was separated at birth when she was given up for adoption.
"The reason I believe every person in the township needs to see it is that it addresses what is happening to black people in the township. Every person who sees it could never go into any relationship without in-depth and careful thinking," Majola says.
Like all township movies the craftsmanship is not of a high standard but this filmmaker will tell you that it is the telling of township stories that is paramount.
The movie was shot over 11 days in and around Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, with a crew of about 10 people.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos