Akin Omotoso
Akin Omotoso: Actor and director
Who is your favourite emerging filmmaker this year?
Thapelo Mokoena, actor in TV series Wild at Heart; Zwelethu Radebe, director of The Hajji (2011); Ernest Nkosi, producer of In a Time without Love; Neo Ntlatleng, director of the TV series Mzansi Love: Kasi Style; Thishiwe Ziqubu, actor in Man on Ground; and Chule Gobodo of the filmmaking company Brainbow Productions.
What was your favourite South African film this year?
The M and Ms: Material, directed by Craig “Craig Mack” Freimond, and Man on Ground, directed by @punchncream — my Twitter handle.
What was your favourite international film this year?
Tey, directed by French-Senegalese Alain Gomis. It tells the story of a town in Senegal where people know when they wake up if they will die at the end of the day. Saul Williams plays Satche, who wakes up knowing it will be his last day on earth. It is simply one of the best films of the year.
What should everyone see at least once?
Man on Ground. And then tell a friend to also see it once and get them to tell a friend to tell a friend …
Darrell Roodt: Director
Who is your favourite emerging filmmaker this year?
Andrew Worsdale. He’s just finished directing Durban Poison after a very long hiatus. He was the most supremely talented South African filmmaker — watch Shot Down — and he is sure to shake things up again.
What was your favourite South African film this year?
My own film, Little One, starring Lindiwe Ndlovu.
What was your favourite international film this year?
Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee. It is filmmaking at the highest level.
What should everyone see at least once?
Little One. Or try Apocalypse Now, hands down the best film(making) ever.
Loyiso Gola: Late Night with Loyiso
Who is your favourite TV personality this year?
Graham Norton on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show. He’s funny.
What was your favourite local TV programme this year?
Besides Late Night with Loyiso? Robert Marawa’s show Thursday Night Live on SuperSport.
What was your favourite international TV programme this year?
QI (Quite Interesting), the BBC comedy game-panel television show featuring Stephen Fry and Alan Davies, because it’s random, factual and funny all at the same time.
What TV programme do you think everyone should see?
Mythbusters.
Kim Engelbrecht: TV, film and theatre actor
Who is your favourite emerging filmmaker or TV personality this year?
Lena Dunham is an American filmmaker and actor. She wrote and directed the independent film Tiny Furniture (2010) and this year she created and starred in the HBO series Girls. She is such a breath of fresh air. Her style is simple, honest, completely unapologetic and she is only 26. Love this! Another of one my faves is Diablo Cody, the writer of the Charlize Theron film Young Adult. One of my must-sees for 2012 (I know I am biased).
What was your favourite international film this year?
The Amazing Spider-Man is one. Emma Stone helps you to fall in love with the classic comic-book genre. We Need to Talk about Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton, is also a must-see. I know I am a sucker for a drama.
What should everyone see at least once?
Everyone should see The Expendables 2, starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I know the first one was better, but it is important to see all those legendary action heroes in one movie together. You can’t deny the Chuck Norris appeal. And everyone should see Safe House, a film shot in South Africa. See how South Africa is used as a backdrop to a Hollywood blockbuster. A film I want to see is Ang Lee’s Life of Pi. I am super interested to see how he is going to bring it all to life.