Whoops and rounds of applause were the audience’s response last night to Jann Turner’s Paradise Stop, starring Rapulana Seiphuma and Kenneth Nkosi.
The film premiered at the Durban International Film Festival (Diff) at the gaudy art deco-esque Suncoast Casino and the theatre reverberated with laughter.
The film is the trio’s follow up to White Wedding.
Fans of that road trip comedy will be delighted that the three more than maintain their standards with this crime caper. However, they will have to wait a little while as the film is only scheduled for countrywide release in March next year.
The pair were on hand to introduce their film, arguing about which of them deserves top billing.
Their tongue-in-cheek debate underlines their ideal symbiotic relationship and the success they have found in working as a team rather than chasing solo glory.
Rehad Desai’s The Battle for Johannesburg was a far more sobering experience. This documentary that explores the notion of urban renewal also premiered last night and drew much debate from the audience.
The film was made in the run-up to the World Cup and exposes the plight of poor urban dwellers and the lack of political will that exacerbates it.
Today’s buzz film is Jahmil Qubeka’s A Small Town Called Descent which tackles the uncomfortable issue of xenophobia. It stars Hlubi Mboya, who is featured in tomorrow’s 7.
» For those lucky enough to be in Durban, you can catch the final screening of Paradise Stop at Musgrave Centre tomorrow evening at 6pm. The Battle for Johannesburg is on at Ekhaya in KwaMashu on Monday at noon and on Friday at The Royal Hotel.
» For more about the inaugural Durban Film Mart at Diff this year, see tomorrow’s City Press.
