If one accepts Israel's right to statehood
Thursday marks the opening of the 17th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. The festival kicks off at the Labia theatre in Cape Town on June 4 and will take place in cinemas across Cape Town and Johannesburg until June 14.
Here’s our selection of doccies from the festival:
The Iron Ministry
Director: JP Sniadecki
Once, China had not one but two Silk Roads. Now it has the world’s biggest railway network, iron tracks that reach even into Tibet. The hard-bench third-class “seats” of old have yielded to comfier ones. See these and others in this cinema verité journey through China. – Darryl Accone
My Dancing Heart
Director: Andrea Martínez Crowther
Age ain’t nothing but a number for women in Mexico who revive their youthful spirit with a dance style called the Danzon. My Dancing Heart is an Al??Jazeera documentary that follows dancers who are 60 years and older and find joy in dance. – Katlego Mkhwanazi
The Shore Break
Director: Ryley Grunenwald
Why should Australian mining interests be allowed to despoil pristine Wild Coast dunes and the communities attached to the land? Why indeed? Eloquent, persuasive, forcible: advocacy documentary-making at its ethical best. – DA
Director of The Shore Break, Ryley Grunenwald
The Shore Break documentary trailer (May 2015) from Ryley Grunenwald on Vimeo.
Coming of Age
Director: Teboho Edkins
This is the story of teenagers Lefa, Retabile and Mosaku, from the village of HaSekake in Lesotho, who move into adulthood in two years, and face life-changing decisions. – KM
Prisoner 467/64:
The Untold Legacy of Andrew Mlangeni
Director: Lebogang Rasethaba
Quiet, unassuming and blessed with unswerving principles and juggernaut moral force: that’s Andrew Mlangeni, 11th accused in the Rivonia Trial. – DA
Out on the Streets
Director: Jasmina Metwaly and Philip Rizk
A group of artists give voice to difficulties faced by working class citizens of Egypt through staged performances. – KM