Supporting South African Films – August 2018 Releases

2018 has been one of the most diverse years that South African cinema has had to offer. From genred westerns like Five Fingers For Marseilles to detective comedy Thys en Trix, the variety has been immense and August looks to continue the trend with a string of comedies, adventure and musicals to name but a few. Following the positive reception of our first such article like this, found here, we’ve decided to make this a monthly feature where we shall discuss the local films approaching the circuit. Here are the South African films coming on circuit this month.

• BROKEN PROMISES 4 EVER- 27th July 2018

 

Genre: Comedy

Sequels at the local box office are quite the rarity so it’s quite momentous when a local export comes for it’s fourth try as seen by the Kumaran Naidu’s Broken Promises franchise. Seven years after Broken Promises 3 dropped, the fourth installment arrives.  Broken Promises 4 Ever looks to be a hilarious family comedy filled with savage one-liners and relatable family dynamics.

Previous/Similar Works/Reference Points: Broken Promises 3, Keeping Up With The Kandasamys

• ASINAMALI – 3rd August 2018

Genre: Musical/Drama

An adaption of one of the country’s most heralded plays, this film sees the bringing together of industry legends: Mbongeni Ngema and Darrell Roodt. This is the team that brought us the South African classic Sarafina and like Sarafina, Asinamali looks to be another socio-political gem to rival that of both Ngema’s and Roodt’s previous works.

Previous/Similar Works/Reference Points: Sarafina (1992), Cry, The Beloved Country (1995), Yesterday (2005).

• STROOMOP – 9th August

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Ivan Botha and Donnalee Roberts, Afrikaans cinema’s dynamic duo, are at it again with their latest release. Their projects always seem to find a way of showcasing great South African landscapes and Stroomop looks no different. Stroomop follows a rag-tag bunch of women who are forced to rely on each other to survive in the wilderness after their row-boat and guide are swept away. This film’s trailer looks like it takes the sentimentality of chick-flicks like Susters and mixes it with the the great adventure and introspection that comes with wilderness movies like Wild. Right on time for Women’s Day, this film looks to be one of this year’s biggest draws.

Previous/Similar Works/Reference Points: Pad na Jou Hart, Vir Altyd, Wild

• FAREWELL ELLA BELLA – 17 August

Genre: Coming of Age/Road Trip

Written and directed by Lwazi Mvusi, Farewell Ella Bella holds the distinction of being the only female-directed film dropping this Women’s Month. Farewell Ella Bella is a coming of age story following Ella and her nomadic godfather as they travel from Beaufort West to Johannesburg to bury her father’s ashes in her childhood home. Jay Antse anchors a star-studded cast that includes Sello Maake, Katlego Danke and Noluthando Meje to name but a few. This road-trip flick allows for a lot of humour, left-turns and poignancy suited for the whole family.

• LOOKING FOR LOVE – 31 AUGUST 2018

Genre: Comedy/Romance

Following the success of Mrs. Right Guy, Adze Ugah returns to feature film directing with another romantic comedy. His latest endeavors stars comedic mainstays Celeste Ntuli and Trevor Gumbi. Looking For Love, finds Ntuli’s character approaching forty and still single. After receiving pressure from her parents to settle down, she reluctantly allows her best friend to find a man for her. Looking For Love seems poised to be a lighthearted feelgood flick that spotlights a demographic often neglected in the rom-com genre.

Previous/Similar Works/Reference Points: Mrs. Right Guy, Gog’ Helen