An independent writer pays homage to the film industry
Looking ahead:For the better part of last year, I wrote a lot about the game of billions (soccer), and yes indeed for me it is only second to my religion. For this year I have decided to switch my allegiance to the industry that pays my bills and puts bread on my table: the film industry. I am tempted to write glowingly about this industry, however my journalism lecturer made it clear to me that sycophancy has to be avoided like plaque. By Tsiology Themy, an independent writer.
The South African Film and Television industry is said to be generating R5.8 billion in economic activity while creating employment to 30 000 South Africans and a global economic output of 0.4%. The industry has existed for more than a century. The South African Government has taken a keen interest in the industry with support coming from the Departments of Arts and Culture and Trade and Industry. It is hailed as an industry with enormous potential for economic growth and job creation.
The past year has been the most tumultuous in the history of the South African film and television industry. The world economic crisis and the bankruptcy of the SABC are the most notable incidents that hogged the headlines in 2009, throwing the industry into disarray. Years of mismanagement at the public broadcaster and the continued battle of supremacy between the institution’s CEO and the board had an instantaneous and enduring impact on the industry. The financial crisis at the broadcaster led to the freezing and moratorium on new productions and non-payment to the independent producers.
The non-payment of producers galvanized the sector and formed a coalition called The Television Industry Emergency Coalition (TVIEC). In response to the crisis at the SABC, the coalition organized marches and embarked on a hunger strike to force the broadcaster to pay them and lift the moratorium on new productions. On a positive note one can argue that the crisis gave birth to a new voice and unity in the industry, an Achilles heel for the industry.
According to a report from the South African Screen Federation (SASFED) the crisis at the SABC has adversely affected the small companies and employees. Many of the small companies were shut down and all the hopes of them becoming corporate were left strewn on the floor while the bigger companies were forced to retrench a fraction of their staff and remain with battered revenues.
Amid all the hurdles, the industry still managed to pull itself from the abyss, and produced sterling films that received international recognition and garnered awards. While films such as Jerusalema and White Wedding did well at the local box office, District 9 caused waves around the world as it perched itself to the pinnacle of the United States box office in the first week of its release. District 9, which was shot in Soweto and the Johannesburg inner city and made of entirely South African actors, amassed a total of R301-million in its opening weekend. The flick went on to garner 7 nominations for the 2010 British Film and Television Awards (BAFTA).
Another sign of the industry moving out of the quagmire was the continued engagement with the ministry of arts and culture. Under the stewardship of Ms Lulu Xingwana, the Department of Arts and Culture has given an ear to the industry, a move that was hailed as a positive approach from the new regime. News coming from Cannes in France is that On 24 January 2010, The South African Minister of Arts and Culture, and the French Minister of Culture and Communication, Frédéric Mitterrand, agreed to sign a Programme of Cultural Co-operation. The co-operation includes, The film co-production agreement which will provide opportunities for the South African film industry to increase production, creating new partnerships and ventures, while recognizing the skills and talent of the SA filmmakers, actors and film technicians. The state president, Jacob Zuma who is known to break into a song whenever he feels energized also took time out of his busy schedule to address both the film and music industry.
As the curtain opened to welcome 2010, the industry was abuzz again with the release of Skin, which tells a compelling true story of Sandra Laing, a coloured woman born from white parents, rejected by her own people and triumphs amid all the odds stacked against her. Only after 13 days of release, Skin continues to surpass films released in the same genre. The film has currently registered just under R500 000.
Skin is currently screened at the following cinemas: Cape Town - V&A Waterfront Cinema Nouveau and Cavendish Nouveau; Durban - Gateway Nouveau; Johannesburg - Bedford View Nouveau, Cedar Square Nouveau, East Rand Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Rosebank Nouveau, Maponya Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Westgate (Ster-Kinekor), and Pretoria - Brooklyn Nouveau, Wonderpark (Ster-Kinekor). For tickets visit Sterkinekor website.
As we progress, the industry looks forward to the fourth edition of South Africa's own Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) under the auspices of the National Film and Video Foundation. The event, incepted in 2006, is intended to celebrate the coming of age of the industry. Celebrating excellence with regard to talent and creativity in the SA film and TV industry, the SAFTAS will be held at the Pretoria State Theatre on Saturday February 20th.
This is how I pay homage to this industry, hoping that I will pluck more courage and write more about this industry.
