Daring Doccies, a new documentary film festival, hits screens at The Labia Theatre from today until Thursday, August 5.
"These filmmakers pull no punches and they tackle subjects that affect us all and the planet we share," says Paul Blom of Flamedrop Productions, the company that has put it all together.
"We've been building up experience and contacts over the years while putting together Horrorfest, X-Fest, Sound on Screen and other film festivals. Daring Doccies is a collection of really cool films that would otherwise be hard to get to see in South Africa. It's really brave, often controversial film-making that will make you look at the world a little differently."
The line-up includes:
Mugabe and the White African (debut South African theatrical run). Screened daily from today to August 5:
Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent Land Reform programme in 2000. Since then the country has descended into chaos.
The filmmakers took their freedom and their lives in their hands as they documented Campbell's fight against the government. Lawyer Jeremy Gauntlett, who assisted with the making of the movie, will handle a Q&A at the opening screening today. Ben Freeth, another main contributor to the making of the documentary, will also be present if he can get here from Harare.
Vicktory to the Underdog (SA theatrical premiere). Tomorrow at 6.15pm; Wednesday at 8.30pm:
Award-winning tattoo artist Brandon Bond and his colleagues take it upon themselves to rescue and rehabilitate some of the more than 70 pitbulls used in the illegal dog fighting ring facilitated by convicted football star Michael Vick.
Standing up for underdogs in all walks of life, this movie proves the cliché of not judging a book by its cover, be it humans or dogs. Also features Danny Trejo, Michael Berryman, Pixie Acia and Donal Logue.
Gas Hole (South African theatrical premiere). Saturday at 6.15pm; Tuesday at 6.15pm; Thursday, August 5 at 8.30pm:
A new documentary about the history of oil prices and the future of alternative fuels.
The film, narrated by actor Peter Gallagher, features interviews with a range of viewpoints from the US Department of Energy Officials, congressional leaders, alternative fuel producers, alternative fuel consumers (such as actor Joshua Jackson), professors of economics and psychology and many more.
Why are alternative fuels and more efficient engines not being implemented more widely, and who stands to gain?
I.O.U.S.A. (South African theatrical premiere). Saturday at 8.30pm; Monday at 6.15pm:
What affects the US economy, affects the world. Throughout history, the US government has found it nearly impossible to spend only what has been raised through taxes. Wielding candid interviews with both average US taxpayers and government officials, Sundance Film Festival veteran Patrick Creadon (Wordplay) helps demystify the nation's financial practices and policies.
Zeitgeist - The Movie (Saturday at 4pm) and Zeitgeist - Addendum (Sunday at 4pm):
Zeitgeist - The Movie and Zeitgeist - Addendum were created to communicate important social understandings which most of the world's population are generally not aware of.
The first film focuses on suppressed historical and modern information about currently dominant social institutions, while also exploring what could be in store for humanity if the power structures at large continue their patterns of self-interest, corruption and consolidation.
The second film, Zeitgeist: Addendum, attempts to locate the root causes of pervasive social corruption, while offering a solution. This solution is not based on politics, morality, laws, or any other "establishment" notions of human affairs, but rather on a modern, secular understanding of what we are and how we align with nature, to which we are a part.
The work advocates a new social system which is updated to present day knowledge, influenced by the work of Jacque Fresco and The Venus Project.
The Threat - La Minaccia (South African theatrical premiere). Sunday at 6.15pm; Monday at 8.30pm; Wednesday at 6.15pm:
Documentary examining the idea that Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution are the greatest threat since the time of the Soviet Union and communism, according to the Doctrine for Asymmetric War Against Venezuela, US Army, 2006.
This is the starting point for a journey across Venezuela, which gave rise to the "red wave" in Latin America. Does Venezuela represent the dream of a new socialist society, or is it just another distortion of populism and dictatorship?
Until the Light Takes Us. Sunday at 8.30pm; Tuesday at 8.30pm; Thursday, August 5 at 6.15pm:
This doccie tells the story of the controversial black metal music genre which was born in Norway and expanded across the world during the 1990s as a fiercely anti-religious barrage with a sonic overload. With highly publicised media cases of murder, suicide and church burnings associated with many of the bands, this evolution of the heavy metal genre made society sit up and take note once again, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
Tickets cost R30 each. Bookings: 021 424 5927. The Labia Theatre is a licensed venue and drinks from the bar can be taken into the cinemas. For more movie info, trailers and the full screening schedule: www.flamedrop.com /daringdoccies. RSVP at the Facebook Event page: www.flamedrop.com/events
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