A documentary by two Port Elizabeth sisters will be screened at the Encounters 20th South African International Documentary Festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The festival started on May 31 and ends on June 10, with their documentary, Land and Identity, to be screened in Cape Town on June 5 and then Johannesburg on June 6.
Directors Nomakhomazi Dewavrin, 38, and her sister, Okuhle Dyosopu, 25, filmed the documentary in Cape Town last year.
Both sisters attended NMU, with Dewavrin studying media communications and Dyosopu graphic design.
The documentary tackles issues reminiscent of the Group Areas Act during apartheid.“My sister and I have been working together since 2011 trying to build a film industry in Port Elizabeth, hiring an allblack crew and training them as well.
“Now we have an opportunity to represent Port Elizabeth at the international film festival,” Dyosopu said.
“It is a great honour to be recognised for our work, but more importantly, taking these important stories to an international and local platform.”
Speaking about the film, Dewavrin said: “Land and Identity is part of a six-part doccie series on youth culture commissioned by the SABC.
“The film is about the current political debates that revolve around historic land issues and its consequence to today’s generation’s identity.”
It took five months to produce the full six episodes, with three weeks to complete Land and Identity.
Dyosopu said Land and Identity told the story of two displaced youngsters.
“The story is eloquently told by young voices. Its format gives the film freshness and immediacy with lush views of the Atlantic seaboard contrasting with the grittiness of the Cape Flats and the homeliness of Plumstead.”
The pair will be travelling to Cape Town and Johannesburg on the days their documentary is screened. They will have question-and-answer sessions with the audiences.
The documentary has also been selected for the Rapid Lion Film Festival later this year.