At a local conference on The Eradication of Unfair Discrimination through Equality Courts this week, white South Africans rubbed shoulders with black South Africans in a way that would have been impossible in the past. But despite government’s efforts, South Africa remains a polarised society.
Despite a jittery performance the Springboks eventually ran out comfortable 53-18 victors over the touring Welsh in a rugby Test at Loftus in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. It was not an entirely convincing display ahead of more pressing engagements against New Zealand and Australia in next month’s Tri-Nations series.
The next time Goran Ivanisevic comes back to Wimbledon, he won’t be firing aces and ripping his shirt off on Centre Court. He’ll be wearing a suit and tie and sipping tea in the members’ lounge. Ivanisevic walked off Centre Court for the last time to a standing ovation after losing in straight sets to Lleyton Hewitt.
”Greek Tragedy,” ”The Blues’ pitiful exit” or simply ”The End”. The French press on Saturday deplored ”the dismal end of the reign,” of France’s footballing heroes, knocked out of Euro 2004 by rank outsiders Greece 1-0 in a quarter final match in Lisbon.
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”I didn’t want to do an apartheid story,” says Gabriel. ”Since 9/11 there have been quite a few films about loss and recovery, and South Africa is fortunate enough to now be in a time of recovery.” Director Ian Gabriel talks to Nicole Temkin about the symbolic journeys undertaken by the characters in his first feature film Forgiveness.
”The only thing I like about best-of lists is the chance to disagree with them violently, to slander their compilers’ good names and damn their souls to oblivion. If you asked for my favourite movies of all time, I’d give you a list with a shelf-life lasting all the way to next Tuesday, at which point I’d demand the right to rip it up and offer another tally, with not a single name reappearing.”
”The only thing I like about best-of lists is the chance to disagree with them violently, to slander their compilers’ good names and damn their souls to oblivion. If you asked for my favourite movies of all time, I’d give you a list with a shelf-life lasting all the way to next Tuesday, at which point I’d demand the right to rip it up and offer another tally, with not a single name reappearing.”
John Patterson lists his favourites
”The costumes were stunning. The set applausable. The technical wizardry impressive. And, contrary to various reports, the singing was easy on the ear. Except, perhaps, for one banshee who had obviously got a free transfer from an opera company.” Mike van Graan goes to see Phantom of the Opera.
The Coen-Hanks version of The Ladykillers follows the original surprisingly closely. A louche and perhaps quietly insane fellow, alleging himself to be a college professor on sabbatical (Hanks), hires a room from a daft but morally upright old woman as a cover for a robbery. Is this remake sacrilege? Shawn Levy takes a closer look.
The major studios used to beat their chests in triumph about big-budget movies. In 1951 MGM took an ad in Variety to announce that it was spending a record -million on its period extravaganza Quo Vadis. Half a century on, studio execs are loth to reveal spiralling budgets, but industry gossip will always find a way. Archie Thomas does the math.