We’re thrilled to unveil the opening films for this year’s Rustenburg Film Festival, showcasing powerful narratives that reflect deep personal journeys, music movements, and gripping supernatural thrills. Each of these films promises to leave a lasting impression. Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:
KIU
In a Land Without Rain, Survival Comes at a Price
Picture a world where the rain hasn’t fallen for five long years. Water is more valuable than gold. This is the reality of KIU, where we follow Momo, a hardened survivor on a dangerous quest for water. Alone and determined, she stumbles upon something unexpected: a young orphaned girl, the lone survivor of a tragic accident.
Now, Momo faces a choice. Will she stick to her solitary ways or risk everything to protect the child? KIU is a stunning tale of survival in a world devastated by drought, where humanity and connection are as rare as the water itself.
Directed by Njiiri Karago, this film will take you on an emotional journey, exploring what it means to survive, trust, and sacrifice in a post-apocalyptic world. Visually breathtaking and emotionally charged, KIU reminds us of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit.
Don’t Take Pictures
An Urban Legend. A Forbidden Place. A Haunting Truth.
Have you ever dared to explore the unknown? In Don’t Take Pictures, a young adventurer sets out to prove the existence of an ancient urban legend. Deep in an abandoned building, they find traces of a forgotten ritual – and a corpse. Determined to capture proof, they snap a photo. But the body disappears.
What follows is a heart-pounding race against time as the adventurer realizes they’ve unleashed a malevolent force into the real world. A spirit with only one goal – to hunt them down. Don’t Take Pictures will have you gripping your seat, wondering if curiosity truly kills.
Directed by Daniel López Izquierdo, this supernatural thriller blends mystery and terror in a cinematic experience you won’t forget.
The Breastfeeding Warrior
A Mother’s Love. A Son’s Quest. A Nation’s Story.
Imagine growing up with only memories of a mother who gave her life for freedom. For Thabang Mabuza, this isn’t just a story – it’s his life. His mother, Phila Portia Ndwandwe, was a fierce anti-apartheid activist, tortured and murdered in 1988 when Thabang was just 5 months old. Now, at 34, he calls her his “Breastfeeding Warrior.”
But questions still haunt him. Why was she taken? Was her sacrifice worth the pain? Thabang’s search for answers takes him deep into the past – into the heart of South Africa’s fight for liberation. Through moving archival footage, including scenes from the exhumation of Phila’s grave, this documentary allows Phila’s story to “speak” from beyond the grave, her legacy echoing through generations.
Directed by Enver Samuel, an award-winning filmmaker known for impactful social justice documentaries, The Breastfeeding Warrior explores themes of reconciliation, trauma, and forgiveness. Prepare to be moved as Thabang pieces together the fragments of his mother’s life – and the profound impact her death still has on him and the nation.
AmaPiano Pioneering DJs
The Sound that Took the World by Storm
Feel the beat, the rhythm, the energy – this is Amapiano, the sound that’s reshaped the landscape of South African music. But where did it come from? Who were the pioneers behind this revolutionary genre?
AmaPiano Pioneering DJs take you to the heart of the Amapiano movement. This documentary episode is a love letter to the DJs and artists who dared to break boundaries, blending deep house, jazz, and lounge music into something uniquely South African. From its underground beginnings to becoming a global sensation, the film brings you into the studios, clubs, and streets where this vibrant genre was born.
Produced by Tebogo “Mr. Producer” Mankge, who started his career hustling in the world of independent film, this documentary is more than just a history lesson – it’s a celebration of creativity, culture, and the power of music to bring people together.
Opening Night: 6th Nov 2024 at 6 PM
Sterkinekor, Waterfall Mall, Rustenburg
1 Augrabies Ave, Cashan, Rustenburg, 0300
All films screening at Rustenburg Film Festival are FREE with the festival badge. If you’re not registered, tickets will be required.
Brought to you in partnership with:
National Film and Video Foundation South Africa, Canon Inc., Final Draft (a Cast & Crew Company), Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers, Film and Publication Board, and Ster-Kinekor Theatres.
Stay tuned for the full program, which will be shared soon! The Rustenburg Film Festival is the ultimate experience for film lovers, where every screening brings stories to life and connects us through the power of cinema. Get your festival badge, invite your friends, and join us for a film festival unlike any other!
Rustenburg Film Festival 2024 – CINERGY in Motion.
