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The independent film, Cabrini, based on the true story of one woman’s fight for the equality, health, and happiness of immigrant orphans, will release in South African cinemas nationwide, simultaneous with the rest of the world, this International Women’s Day, on 8 March 2024. The film is by the award-winning director of the box-office hit Sound of Freedom, Alejandro Monteverde, and stars Cristiana Dell’Anna in the title role.
The film showcases the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrived in New York City in 1889 and was greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini set off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini used her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen
The Golden Globes winners have been announced, the stars are readying themselves for the BAFTAS red carpet on 18 February, and the sought-after golden statues wait patiently in the wings for the 96th annual Academy Awards celebration on 10 March. According to the critics, the front runners of the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards could be the firm favourites to take home the prized Oscars too, but nothing is cast in stone.
The Oscar nominations are of course the first clue as to which movies, casts and crew poised to take a podium place in this year’s race to movie stardom. Two of the films that resulted in the biggest movie weekend for Ster-Kinekor in 2023, Oppenheimer and Barbie, are both in the running in various categories, with Oppenheimer receiving an astonishing 13 nominations.
Straight off the bat, I can honestly say that Emma Stone deserves an Oscar for her performance in “Poor Things“.
Here’s why:
Bella Baxter (played by star and producer Emma Stone) is brought back from the brink of death by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (played by Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (played by Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
The celebrated English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys’ concert film of their greatest hits tour, DREAMWORLD: The Greatest Hits Live, will be screened in selected Ster-Kinekor cinemas on 31 January and 04 February 2024, in celebration of the duo’s 40th anniversary.
Directed by the renowned leading live performance director David Barnard, the 14-camera 4K shoot ensures an immersive big screen experience.
This exclusive two-screening event showcases Pet Shop Boys’ electrifying and critically acclaimed tour, Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live captured from the Royal Arena in Copenhagen on 07 July 2023. It features primary vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe in an uplifting and exhilarating performance during a lavish stage show with full back-up band and mesmerising visual backdrops, performed to an exuberant, sold-out audience.
The much-anticipated Joburg Film Festival in partnership with MultiChoice, is set to return in the first quarter of 2024, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts for a celebration of storytelling through the art of film.
With a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and narratives, the festival promises to captivate audiences not just in Joburg, but across the African diaspora and beyond. Born out of the desire to create an exciting, independent platform that not only tells Africa’s stories, but also rewards local and international excellence in film, the premiere festival will take place from the 27th February to the 3rd March 2024.
The festival is renowned as a prominent platform for showcasing local and international talent and is gearing up for a sixth edition of an extraordinary presentation of cinematic excellence. Scheduled to take place in Sandton, the heart of South Africa’s vibrant business scene, the event will feature a captivating lineup of screenings, discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The Joburg Film Festival stands as a grand celebration honouring the art of storytelling while embracing the legacy of cinematic legends. With its central theme focused on inspiring storytellers who captivate audiences across the globe, the festival will further celebrate these legends in film. It serves as a platform that not only showcases groundbreaking narratives from emerging voices but also pays homage to the trailblazers and luminaries whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. From thought-provoking panel discussions to mesmerizing screenings, the festival reverberates with the energy of passionate storytellers, eager to inspire and be inspired. It’s a harmonious blend where the past meets the present, fostering an environment that honors the established whilst propelling the next generation of filmmakers toward greatness.
“In the dynamic landscape of ‘Glocalisation’ of media & entertainment, the Joburg Film Festival is a pivotal platform at the heart of Africa’s cultural and creative revolution. This sub Saharan African premier film festival & content market trade fair is set against the back drop of the continent’s rich stories and talent. It embodies the spirit of new Africa, one that is eager to showcase its creative prowess and engage in dialogue with the global community” stated Joburg Film Festival Executive Director Tim Mangwedi. ” Now in its 6th year, the Joburg Film Festival continues to celebrate the art of filmmaking. It brings together the best of African cinema, offering a window into the soul of a continent bursting with inspiring stories waiting to be told and heard on the international stage by Africans”.
Building on its legacy of promoting diverse perspectives and voices, the festival also aims to spotlight emerging talent alongside established filmmakers, offering a platform for creative expression and storytelling that reflects the richness of Africa’s cinematic landscape.
Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 