With exciting local and international documentaries, a virtual reality exhibition and an electronic concert, the upcoming 2016 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is going to be something special. New director Darryl Els expands on his vision to KAREN RUTTER
“FILMS are still best experienced in a collective space, especially entertaining, provocative and challenging films,” says Darryl Els, newly appointed director of the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival.
It is his view that, despite the increasing availability of visual material via the web and other sources, there is no substitute for sitting down in a cinema and sharing a good film. Even better is to be able to engage in public dialogue after the screening. He’ll be offering both experiences, in spades, at this year’s festival.
Els, who has worked in documentary production and as a researcher with a specific interest in South African cinema history, is also the co-founder of the Bioscope Independent Cinema. He has presented programmes at various institutions and film festivals, and is clearly pretty excited to be at the helm of South Africa’s foremost annual documentary festival, which has been running since 1999. The 2016 programme, which has been partially released, already shows evidence of his curatorial hand.
From a powerful feature on young Capetonian anti-apartheid activist Ashley Kriel, to a fascinating biography of lauded writer Maya Angelou, to a searing look at South Africa’s education system and a thought-provoking interview with intellectual giant Noam Chomsky, the films are diverse, contemporary and relevant.
Other titles released so far include an exploration of the shadowy global arms trade and a feature documentary on Alison Botha, who was raped, disembowelled and left for dead outside Port Elizabeth but survived to tell the tale. Visiting directors, producers and writers will also be a part of the mix, participating in after-show debates and discussions.
But Els is also bringing what he calls an “expanded view of non-fiction film-making” to the festival.”
“It’s really important – and exciting – to be able intersect with other disciplines, as well as find new voices and new ways of saying things,” Els explains. “We’re looking at brokering opportunities, at creating new partnerships and connections.” And at pushing the conventional festival envelope, it would seem. Els’ plans for this year’s festival also include Virtual Encounters, an exhibition based on virtual reality and interactive documentary. Curated by Ingrid Kopp (of the Tribeca Film Institute), this will provide a “dedicated festival platform for creative multi-platform non-fiction storytelling”.
Included in the exhibition will be new virtual reality work, and a live virtual reality event with invited digital artists and filmmakers.
And to close up the festival, innovative British electronic music duo Darkstar will present a multi-media performance based on their album Foam Island. The album's themes were inspired by social change in the UK and how this is affecting today’s youth, and Els believes this could speak directly to the politics of young South Africans. To this end, Darkstar will record audio and visual interviews with local South Africans to form part of its presentation here.
For Encounters 2016, Els has been inspired by the openness and sense of freedom and possibility he has witnessed in current documentaries, as well as the new and innovative ways that doccie films are being made. The line-up so far includes Action Kommandant: The Untold Story of the Revolutionary Freedom Fighter– Nadine Cloete’s debut feature about Ashley Kriel. Walking in My Shoes is Lauren Groenwald and Andy Spitz’s focus on South African education.
The production Alison is Uga Carlini’s feature documentary on Alison Botha. Maya Angelou and Still I Rise is directors Rita Coburn Whack and Bob Hercules biography of the famous poet and activist.
In Shadow World John Grimonprez looks at murky arms deals. While Requiem for an American Dream is Noam Chomsky’s meditation on global inequality and poverty.
Encounters 2016 will run from June 2 to 12 at the Labia, and The Bioscope in Johannesburg.
l www.encounters.co.za