/ 22 February 2013

Design Indaba FilmFest

Marian Bantjies poster
Marian Bantjies poster

Fancy the sound of sundowners and popcorn at a rooftop cinema against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain? This year's Design Indaba FilmFest features just that.

Showing at The Bank in Cape Town's Fringe district of design, art, creativity and innovation, Design Indaba FilmFest 2013 presents an array of films on design and creativity from February 17 to March 3 2013. The 15 films on the programme showcase fashion, food and music to dance, art and film itself.

Two of the films's featured designers will be in the audience to present their films.

Marian Bantjes, a top Canadian graphic designer who is also speaking at Design Indaba Conference, will present the documentary on her work, Marian Bantjes, Graphic Artist.

French interaction designer Nelly Ben Hayoun will present The International Space Orchestra, her off-the-wall exposé of the world's first international space orchestra, performed by scientists from Nasa and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (Seti) Institute. The Design Indaba FilmFest is sponsored by DStv and supported by the National Film and Video Foundation.

The programme is as follows:

Friday February 22
Big Easy Express (2012)
This music documentary follows the extraordinary journey of folk rock and indie rock bands Mumford & Sons, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as they depart on a "tour of dreams" across America.

Saturday February 23
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012)
In an unprecedented account of his life, first-time director Alison Klayman shares the story of China's most famous international artist, Ai Weiwei. This astoundingly detailed portrait of a man with unrelenting spirit and defiance shows Ai Weiwei's mission to uncover the truths hidden by the Chinese government. It is an eye-opening inside story of contemporary China.

Sunday February 24
Big Easy Express (2012)
Repeat

Monday February 25
Waste Land (2010) 
From the world's largest landfill comes the true story of renowned New York artist Vik Muniz and a group of scavengers on a quest to change lives by using materials they work with every day. Waste Land highlights the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit.

Tuesday February 26
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (2011)
Morgan Spurlock's much-awaited latest offering travels with five attendees descending on the comic-lovers biggest pop culture event of the year and ultimate geek mecca, San Diego Comic-Con.

Wednesday February 27
Marian Bantjes, Graphic Artist (2011)
This is an intimate look at the work of an extraordinary designer "motivated by uncovering what is possible with art and design". From her private workspace near Vancouver to the public arena of her one-woman show, Bantjes speaks candidly about design, taking us deep into the world of her intricate creations.

Thursday February 28
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)
The celebrated influential fashion editor of Harpers Bazaar, Diana Vreeland, views herself as the one and only fashion editor. This film documents the life and work of fashion's most celebrated woman, who defined style and beauty for a new generation.

Friday March 1
The International Space Orchestra (2012)
Merging science, technology, design and opera, director Nelly Ben Hayoun assembled space scientists to perform a unique drama of non-terrestrial communication and the techno-wonders of mission control rooms. The film captures the behind-scenes action during the creation of the world's first international space orchestra.

Saturday March 2
Marina Abramovíc: The Artist is Present (2012)
The film follows Abramovíc as she prepares for a retrospective exhibition of her work, which spans almost forty years. It shows her own transformation into a living artwork. The film directly and boldly challenges the audience while the artist pushes herself beyond limits.

Sunday March 3
From Nothing, Something (2012)
A thoughtful and uplifting look into a variety of creative thinkers across disciplines, this film documents numerous creative processes of unique and accomplished talents, from rock stars, comedians, and choreographers to celebrity chefs and architects.

FilmFest times

February 17 to March 3
Daily screenings at 8.30pm Doors open at 7.30pm
The Bank, 50 Canterbury Street, Cape Town.
Tickets R35 at the door or available online at designindaba.com/film

Although this article has been made possible by the Mail & Guardian's advertisers, content and photographs were supplied and approved by Design Indaba. It forms part of a larger supplement.