Difference between revisions of "Freedom Square and Back of the Moon"
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== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
| − | In the 1940s and 1950s, Sophiatown, a black freehold suburb on the outskirts of Johannesburg, was the centre of a vibrant cultural and political world. For various reasons, including its proximity to white areas, it was singled out as a target of the newly elected government's apartheid policies. Consequently, its inhabitants were moved out and their houses were bulldozed. On its ruins arose the new all-white suburb of Triomf. This film tells the story of these early forced removals and, in the process, sketches a picture of daily life in Sophiatown. Using interviews with former inhabitants, from journalists to ex-gangsters, it builds up a composite portrait, intercutting their observations with archival footage, still photographs and excerpts from ''[[The Magic Garden]]'' and ''[[Come Back, Africa]]'', as well as extracts from the [[Junction Theatre Company]]'s play, ''[[Sophiatown]]''. Amongst those who comment are [[Arthur Maimane]], Anthony Sampson, [[Don Mattera]], Trevor Huddleston, [[Nadine Gordimer]], Fikile Bam and [[Joe Mogotsi]]. | + | In the 1940s and 1950s, Sophiatown, a black freehold suburb on the outskirts of Johannesburg, was the centre of a vibrant cultural and political world. For various reasons, including its proximity to white areas, it was singled out as a target of the newly elected government's apartheid policies. Consequently, its inhabitants were moved out and their houses were bulldozed. On its ruins arose the new all-white suburb of Triomf. This film tells the story of these early forced removals and, in the process, sketches a picture of daily life in Sophiatown. Using interviews with former inhabitants, from journalists to ex-gangsters, it builds up a composite portrait, intercutting their observations with archival footage, still photographs and excerpts from ''[[The Magic Garden]]'' and ''[[Come Back, Africa]]'', as well as extracts from the [[Junction Avenue Theatre Company]]'s play, ''[[Sophiatown]]''. Amongst those who comment are [[Arthur Maimane]], Anthony Sampson, [[Don Mattera]], Trevor Huddleston, [[Nadine Gordimer]], Fikile Bam and [[Joe Mogotsi]]. |
Memories of the documentary were revived in 2019 when it was shown to acclaim at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. | Memories of the documentary were revived in 2019 when it was shown to acclaim at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. | ||
Revision as of 17:05, 15 December 2023
Contents
Screening Details
Running Time: 53 min. (Colour) / Copyright Date: 1987 / Language: English / Genre: Documentary
Synopsis
In the 1940s and 1950s, Sophiatown, a black freehold suburb on the outskirts of Johannesburg, was the centre of a vibrant cultural and political world. For various reasons, including its proximity to white areas, it was singled out as a target of the newly elected government's apartheid policies. Consequently, its inhabitants were moved out and their houses were bulldozed. On its ruins arose the new all-white suburb of Triomf. This film tells the story of these early forced removals and, in the process, sketches a picture of daily life in Sophiatown. Using interviews with former inhabitants, from journalists to ex-gangsters, it builds up a composite portrait, intercutting their observations with archival footage, still photographs and excerpts from The Magic Garden and Come Back, Africa, as well as extracts from the Junction Avenue Theatre Company's play, Sophiatown. Amongst those who comment are Arthur Maimane, Anthony Sampson, Don Mattera, Trevor Huddleston, Nadine Gordimer, Fikile Bam and Joe Mogotsi.
Memories of the documentary were revived in 2019 when it was shown to acclaim at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Translations, adaptations, sequels, etc
In 2019 Gibson also produced the feature film Back of the Moon, inspired by his memories of making the 1986 documentary.
Sources
https://www.worldcat.org/title/freedom-square-and-back-of-the-moon/oclc/55702736
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8991332/
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