I see the festival is in its 24th year. How did the festival start and where has it gone from there?
PR: Begun by Ros and Teddy Sarkin, the festival during the apartheid years was a window for the viewing of top international cinema and a rare platform for ethical and political issues to be raised both on screen and in spirited social gatherings surrounding the event. The festival had many run-ins and negotiations with the Censor Board and experienced considerable harassment and intimidation by the security branch and the KwaZulu-Natal police, including dramatic incidents when screenings were closed down by rifle-wielding policemen.
The festival has in recent years been revitalised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of Natal). In a time when the South African television industry is centred in Gauteng and foreign production houses favour Cape Town as a location, the festival is playing a major role in the stimulation of the film industry in KwaZulu-Natal in terms of audience development, industry awareness and introductory-level training.
An increasingly important component of the festival is the discussion and workshop programme featuring local and international filmmakers. But the heart of the festival lies in arguably the most innovative and powerful festival selection of current cinema that you will see in South Africa this year.
In the welter of festivals happening all over the place in South Africa now, how does the Durban International Film Festival distinguish itself as a festival? Is it aimed at lovers of the avant-garde?
NM: The Durban International Film Festival is easily the most diverse film festival in the country, mainly because it is unencumbered by any particular theme or format. We are able to programme feature films, documentaries and short films. Also, the festival tries to showcase the very best of international cinema, particularly in the large features section.
In essence this means that we can, and do, screen everything from a selection of American independent cinema, to the best new African films, to very artful Bengali cinema, to cutting-edge films from Iceland. A sexy French thriller can be found alongside a documentary on the effects of globalisation in our programme.
Because the festival has been going for 24 years this also allows us to follow the careers of directors we admire and in most cases this is the only opportunity for audiences in this country to watch these films.
How large is the festival this year?
PR: In addition to its historical venue at the University of Natal’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, 2003 sees the introduction of four new venues; Cinema Screen Entertainment at The Workshop; Nu-Metro CineCentre at Suncoast; Cinema Nouveau at Gateway; and the newly opened Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu. Further screenings take place at tertiary institutions and community venues.
How many films are showing, and how many viewers are expected?
PR: The expanded line-up of 180 screenings comprises more than 50 feature films and more than 40 documentaries and short films from a total of 29 different countries. Between 8 000 and 10 000 people are expected.
The details
The Durban International Film Festival runs until October 24. Book at Computicket.