Mother City, the compelling South African documentary delving into the politics of urbanism, made its international debut at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival and captivated audiences at the prestigious Encounters South African International Documentary Festival with sold-out screenings.
Also read: Hard-hitting SA documentary, Mother City, to open Encounters 2024
Since then, the film has garnered significant attention from audiences and festivals, both nationally and internationally, eager to explore its compelling content.
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It earned special mentions from the juries at both festivals and was screened to a captivated audience of industry professionals at the recent Durban FilmMart.
It had a special screening at the CineCentre GrandWest, Cape Town followed by a robust panel discussion hosted by Daily Maverick journalist, Rebecca Davis with head of Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre, Disha Govender; Nkosikhona Swartbooi, activist; former Mayco Member for Housing, Brett Herron, and CEO of Communicare, Anthea Houston.
The London Renters Union, a prominent campaigning organisation with branches throughout the UK, has requested a special screening of the film for the opening of their Housing Justice Assembly 2024 in London on August 30, 2024.
The filmmakers and activists behind the project have launched a comprehensive impact campaign in response to the urgent housing and land issues.
Their goal is to screen the film to a broad and diverse audience, sparking meaningful discussions and driving action on these critical issues.
According to Bizcommunity, seasoned impact filmmaker Miki Redelinghuys of Plexus Films and veteran investigative journalist Pearlie Joubert, directed and produced the film with renowned feature-producer Kethiwe Ngcobo.
Praised for its poignant and human portrayal of urban politics, the film follows six years of activism by the Reclaim the City movement.
It documents their efforts to convert two abandoned state-owned buildings in Cape Town—Woodstock Hospital, now Cissy Gool House, and Helen Bowden nursing home, now Ahmed Kathrada House—into homes for over 1000 people.
‘This is a classic David versus Goliath struggle, where activists challenge the powerful forces of politics and property. It has touched a nerve wherever we have screened the film and resonates deeply with audiences worldwide – this is not just a South African problem,’ says Pearlie Joubert, who recently screened the film to the Renters Union in London.
Where to see Mother City next:
In Cape Town, a short season will follow at The Labia Theatre in Cape Town from Friday 13 to Thursday 19 September 8pm.
International screenings and festivals include:
- Sheffield: The Showroom Cinema in Sheffield 28 October
- London: Bertha DocHouse in London requested to screen Mother City 29 October
- Namibia: Film Week in Windhoek
- Germany: Afrika Film Festival Köln
- In Switzerland and USA in the next four months
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Picture: Hard-hitting SA documentary, Mother City, to open Encounters 2024
