THE 34th edition of Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) ended last 28 July, with winners in the different categories announced. The announcement preceded the screening of the closing film, Free Angela - And All Political Prisoners, at the Suncoast CineCentre Cinema. Presenting the award of Best Feature Film to The Land of Hope, the International Jury commended Sion Sono for a film that "masterfully and humbly draws together an array of cinematic means of expression to engage us in a story." The award has a cash prize of 50 000 Rands (3 683.90 € / 2 416 477 FCFA).
The international Jury comprised Egyptian curator and festival programmer, Sherif Awad; renowned festival programmer, Paolo Bertolin; South African filmmaker, Sara Blecher; film curator, June Givanni; and South African actress, Hlubi Mboya. They also awarded Best South African Feature Film to Andrew Worsdale for his Durban Poison. The award has a cash prize of 30 000 Rands (2 210.34 € / 1 449 886 FCFA).
Jahmil XT Qubeka's Of Good Report, which was banned by Federal Publication Bureau (FPB) of South Africa prior to the start of the festival and later unbanned a day before it ended, wasn't considered. Givanni, on behalf of the Jury, said, "the jury is saddened and concerned about the limitations to freedom of expression that are still in force on the continent and beyond, but we are glad that on this occasion the decision has been over-turned."
There was much accolade for Of Good Report, even by the festival organisers who were pleased that the FPB reversed their decision and gave the film an R-Rating of 16. The FPB had refused to classify the film, which was an opening night film and so it was not screened in any of its allocated slots, and therefore, it could not be in competition.
OF GOOD REPORT by Jahmil XT Qubeka - Official Trailer - South Africa, 2013 from Africiné www.africine.org on Vimeo.
Shaibu Husseini
