Mother City, the hard-hitting South African documentary about the politics of urbanism, will have a short season at the Labia from Friday 13 September to Thursday 19 September 2024 at 8pm. It will also be shown in Johannesburg at the CineCentre Killarney Mall on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 7pm with a special screening with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation with Daily Maverick’s Ferial Hafajee hosting a post screening panel discussion. It will then screen at CineCentre on Friday 4 October at 7.30pm, Saturday 5 October at 5.15pm and Sunday 6 October 2024 at 2.30pm.
Mother City premiered internationally at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival, and at the prestigious Encounters South African International Documentary Festival where it played to sold out houses.
Politics of urbanism
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. Described as a beautifully observed, deeply human and often heart-breaking look at the politics of urbanism, the filmmakers spend six years documenting the activists of the dynamic Reclaim the City movement, as they transform two mothballed state-owned buildings in Cape Town’s into homes for more than 1000 people. The Woodstock Hospital was renamed Cissy Gool House by occupiers and the Helen Bowden nursing home in the Waterfront, Ahmed Kathrada House.
“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.
“All over the world people who are living on the edges are talking truth to power, taking their fight like the Reclaim the City movement – to the streets, the courts, high-end events, and governments determined to make their voices heard. We are hoping this film will create the necessary impact for activists as well as those in power whose decisions affect them, we want each and every person who sees this film to be moved to action,” says Redelinghuys.
What: Mother City
Tickets:
Cape Town: https://bit.ly/3AGbNPc
Johannesburg: https://bit.ly/3X4UzT4
WS
