Synopsis In this deeply affecting portrait of ordinary courage in present-day South Africa, a single mother—Shirley Adams—struggles to care for her paraplegic teenage son, Donovan, in a depressed district on the outskirts of Cape Town. Wearied but resolute, she desperately clings to him as he withdraws from the world following a suicide attempt, and is hopeful when his spirits are momentarily lifted by the appearance of Tamsin, a pretty but overeager social worker. But when the relationship between Donovan and Tamsin sours, his fragile emotional health declines, and Shirley's faith and perseverance are put to the ultimate test. First-time director Oliver Hermanus's observant camera holds close to its subjects, capturing the claustrophobia, intimacy and hushed anguish surrounding the tender daily routines of a mother and her child.

About the Director Oliver Hermanus was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1983. He began his professional career as a press photographer, covering international events such as the Glastonbury Music Festival and the G-8 Summit. He holds a BA in Film Media and Visual Studies from the University of Cape Town where, as a student, he directed a number of short films and documentaries. Shirley Adams is his first feature film.

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Synopsis In this riveting, insider’s perspective on life in Iran’s capital city, Marzieh—a terminally ill actress—wearily relates her desperate quest for political asylum through a series of interviews with an unsympathetic government official. Beginning with details of her doomed relationship with an Iranian-born Australian and their plan to relocate to Adelaide, she recounts her struggle to work as an actress under Iran’s current regime, her hope for a future ultimately dashed by the devastating discovery of her illness, and her need to “escape” the only home she has ever known. Set against the backdrop of Tehran’s thriving arts culture, and framed through a series of artful and dramatic flashback sequences, poet-turned-filmmaker Granaz Moussavi boldly registers the trials of a modern woman struggling to flourish in Iran’s contemporary political climate.

About the Director Granaz Moussavi was born in Tehran, Iran in 1974. She received a degree in Screen Studies from Flinders University and a postgraduate degree in Film Editing from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. She is the author of four collections of avant-garde poetry and has directed and edited several short films and documentaries. My Tehran For Sale is her first feature film.

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Featured in the Global Lens 2010 film series.

Synopsis In director John Barker's debut feature, up-and-coming comedians Kags, Joey and Dave make clear that life in the 'new' Johannesburg is not just about hardship and townships. It's also about finding humor in relationships, hanging out with friends and celebrating life on a raucous roadtrip to Oppi Koppi-South Africa's largest music festival. Shot in a cinema vrit style and using the street food 'bunny chow' as a metaphor for contemporary Johannesburg's mix of races, cultures and attitudes, Barker's edgy, urban comedy asks us to envision a nation through the eyes of its future, rather than the tragedy of its past.

About the Director John Barker was born in Durban, South Africa. He studied graphic design at ML Sultan in Durban. After working as a graphic designer in Cape Town, he made a change in career paths and began working in the film industry. He has directed various productions, such as the sketch comedy show, The Pure Monate Show, the South African Music Awards, and South Africa's first mockumentary, Blu Cheez (2002). Bunny Chow is his first feature film.Available Screening Formats 35mm, DVD. Digibeta available upon request

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Synopsis Traditional beliefs say that the souls of the dead will not join their ancestors until the mourners cry at their graves. Max Bua, 19, from a South African farm community, has inherited his grandfathers talent for mourning. Despite this heaven-sent gift, Max has his sights set on becoming a doctor and must travel to Johannesburg to begin his studies. With money the villagers collected for his tuition fees, and a wedding gift, he sets off to the city. Arriving too late to register and secure his room at the university, Max must seek out his infamous Uncle Norman. Director Teddy Mattera has constructed a slapstick comedy about a young boys coming of age and his wild adventure with a most unlikely partner in crime.

About the Director Teddy Mattera was born in South Africa in 1963, and studied at the London International Film School and the Maurits Binger Film Institute in Amsterdam. He interned on the Oscar-nominated Hoop Dreams (1993).
His early experience ranged from work on documentaries for television in South Africa and the UK, and on shorts, commercials and music videos. He scripted the short Waiting for Valdez (2001) and directed the short Norman Comes to Jozi (2002). Max and Mona is his first feature film.

Available Screening Formats 35mm, DVD. Digibeta available upon request

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