I was fortunate enough to attend the by-invitation-only opening of the 15th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. The biggest of its kind in Africa, Encounters is a 10-day celebration of thought-provoking documentaries, showcasing both local and international talent in the genre.
The opening took place at the V&A Waterfront and kicked off with the screening of Riaan Hendricks’ “The Devil’s Lair”. I was very excited to see this film, as it promised us a glimpse into the life of aging gangster, Braaim, the leader of the “Nice Time Kids” gang of Mitchells Plein. The film focuses on Braaim’s volatile home life with his wife and three children, while involved in an ongoing turf war with two rival gangs in the area. Although managing to successfully capture some of the horrific scenes that make up life in a South African gang, I was sadly left underwhelmed by the film’s lack of direction.
Nevertheless, the selection of films being showcased this year guarantees an exciting and successful festival. Some of the films I’m dying to check out are “10% What Makes a Hero”, Oscar nominated “The Gatekeepers” and Sundance winner “The Queen of Versailles”. The diverse range of films is truly astonishing, offering something for everybody.
The Cape Town leg of the festival screens at Nu Metro cinemas and the Fugard Theatre, and runs until June 16. Tickets are available via Computicket, Computicket outlets, the Fugard Theatre Box Office and select Nu Metro cinemas and costs R50p/p.
