AFDA Graduation Film Festival – Spling’s Top 5 Picks (Cape Town)

by

As a seasoned film critic with a lifetime of movie-watching under my belt, I have to say that this year’s graduation film festival in Cape Town has left me utterly impressed. The sheer creativity, resourcefulness, and raw talent on display is nothing short of astonishing.

Creating a high-quality short film on a limited budget is nothing less than extraordinary. This year’s offerings showcased innovative ideas, captivating stories, excellent camera work, clever production, sharp scriptwriting, impressive acting, and some truly insightful post-screening discussions. Below you will find Spling’s top picks from the 2023 graduation film festival in Cape Town, listed in order of preference.

Detour

The short movie titled “Detour” is a crime-comedy adventure where an ex-couple, along with their Uber driver, find themselves in a hijack situation. This 24-minute film mirrors the lively chaos of films such as “Date Night” and “We’re the Millers“, as an unexpected reunion unfolds for the couple.

Featuring Vikesh Jeram Patel, Mihle Mcube, Kgolagano Khunou, and Liyabona Ncana, “Detour” showcases captivating acting that blends seamlessly with its humorous tone while maintaining an underlying sense of risk. Kgolagano Khunou stands out as a scene-stealer, exuding an effortless coolness and confidence that elevates the production. Liyabona Ncana provides a strong contrast.

The student movie titled “Detour” by directors Oliver Boje and Mila Nieman is lively, skillfully made, and confidently executed. This film excels in all areas, delivering pleasant viewing experiences with captivating acting, witty dialogues, and intelligent humor scenes.

More information

Grief

Dark comedies skillfully juggle emotions, blending heartfelt sadness with satirical humor. In the story of “Grief“, the protagonist Bernard struggles through his late mother’s financial woes amidst mounting familial pressures and a peculiar assortment of eccentric attendees who seem poised to disrupt the memorial service.

Sonwaba Madolo, Akhanani Antony, and Lintle Mohanoe play siblings working to maintain their strength and rebuild their lives. With panache, the film Grief borrows from Death at a Funeral by gathering a lively cast of characters.

This production is both humorous and emotionally sincere, perfectly blending dark comedy with cheerful acting that maintains an engaging pace throughout. With its stunning scenery, numerous amusing characters, and comedic instances, it creates a bittersweet experience that is both enjoyable and heartfelt.

More information

Smile for Me

Mortuaries are gloomy, icy, and lifeless spaces. Yet, the arrival of a profaned corpse in this setting stirs up a puzzle for two exhausted morticians, pushing them towards the brink of their sanity and blurring the boundary between their waking lives and deepest fears. “Smile for Me” is an eerie short psychological horror film that skillfully combines two starkly contrasting environments: a sterile morgue and a haunting forest. As a mortician grapples with reality, these two realms merge in this suspenseful tale.

Smile for Me showcases a compelling performance by Steph-mari Marais as Marli, backed by Burger Du Plessis, Marshane Ground, and Tatenda Makuvatsine. To give it a personal touch, local elements are incorporated skillfully. The film’s makeup is impressive, the cinematography resourceful, the acting convincing, and the sound design sharp, elevating this chilling horror to something extraordinary.

The limited funds of the short film are skillfully utilized by directors Tess Davis and Bizo Maxegwana to capture the captivating “Smile for Me.” By emphasizing the eerie atmosphere, marketing the terror, and working with a sense of control, they create an impactful horror that is both subtle and powerful.

More information

Break My Bones

In the realm of student filmmaking, especially with horror comedies like “Break My Bones“, it’s often wise to stay within your capabilities. However, the passionate filmmakers behind this production took their “never give up” spirit to the extreme, resulting in a gory and thrilling experience they refer to as a “blood-soaked rollercoaster”.

The trailer to the end credits of the grindhouse horror-comedy is powered by André Smith and Steven Henry’s defiant spirit. This dark, outrageous, and gory comedy places Daisy in one dangerous predicament after another. Bold, fearless, and ultimately entertaining, the movie overcomes its flaws with sheer attitude and resilience.

More information

Doos

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve come to realize that every film carries a political undertone. Living in South Africa, a place often seen as a miniature world, it’s evident how deeply the wounds of apartheid still resonate. Some might wish to move on, looking towards a brighter tomorrow, but it’s through sharing these agonizing narratives that we can strive for truth and reconciliation.

Title with tagline: “The Right to Remain Silent” – Doos unfolds in 1980s Apartheid South Africa, where a racial conflict emerges around life, land, and legacy. This political drama maintains a rustic, authentic atmosphere by keeping its narrative grounded in the simple, rural life of the era.

The heartfelt drama titled “Doos” is skillfully directed by Shaun Smith and Elzaan Daniels, relying on a genuine cast consisting of Marshane Ground, Isabella Persent, Matthew Cohen, and Johané Venter.

More information

Honourable mentions: Massamba’s Echo, Flora and The Ride.

Read More

2024-11-29 15:43