Date: 14/06/2004
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: S Ndebele: International Film Festival
ADDRESS BY KWAZULU-NATAL PREMIER, S'BU NDEBELE, AT OPENING NIGHT OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 14 June 2004
Durban International Film Festival founder and director, Ros Sarkin
World acclaimed producer Anant Singh
Movie moghul Moosa Moosa
Director for the Centre of Creative Arts, Peter Rorvik
John Samuel of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
And producer of Yesterday, Darrel Roodt
Artists
Directors
Producers
Patrons
Ladies and Gentlemen.
The energy generated by all of you in the Durban International Film Festival contributing towards the democratisation of this country and further creating the space for South Africans who did not fit into the status quo needs congratulations.
I salute you Ms Ros Sarkin and all in DIFF on your silver anniversary. We Durbanites are proud of you. We in the province offer our heartiest congratulations.
African Renaissance and film
2004 marks ten years of democracy in South Africa and twenty-five years of DIFF. That is indeed a long way we have come. DIFF has been at the forefront of promoting the South African film industry during the days of apartheid.
African Renaissance is a matter close to my heart. In celebrating African film we are celebrating Africa's culture, tradition, people and history. We are celebrating the African way of life and showing the world through film that no more can Africa be discounted.
It is encouraging to note the prominence of South African and African film in the line up - truly in the spirit of the African Renaissance. And also to commend those film makers coming from Tibet, India, Iran, Germany, Denmark, Canada, who offer us film - not Hollywood glitz and glamour - but features which look at social issues that make a dent to our thinking.
We welcome you to this film festival.
Democracy and Growth
2004 marks the celebration of ten years of democracy in South Africa.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government is firmly committed to the new economic plan for Africa's development, NEPAD and festivals such as DIFF assist in integrating Africa's film makers and their products to form a uniquely African product therein making the African film industry a force to content with in international circles.
The festival has responded to the new economic potential of the region, promoting the film industry is a vital component in the development of economic potential for the region; have united African film makers; have provided a platform for the screening and consumption of African film; and more importantly empowered Africans and countries in the third world to compete.
We want to make KwaZulu-Natal an integral part of the South African film industry. This is a mutual goal of DIFF and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government. We would like to see more films filmed in KWAZULU-NATAL as well as produced. This will stimulate our local economy, empower marginalised people, promote local tourism, enhance cultural tourism and tell local stories by immortalising them in celluloid.
We are not just a new democracy but also a democracy in action. We offer the perfect locations for the overseas market and offer the complex issues, which make us truly different.
Yesterday is Today's success
We are here tonight to open the festival and mark its significance with the opening of the first ever isiZulu feature film, Yesterday, produced by Anant Singh.
Shot in KwaZulu-Natal, in the Bergville area, it is written and directed by Darrell James Roodt, stars Leleti Khumalo (Sarafina!), Kenneth Kambule (Backstage, Generations, I Dreamed Of Africa), Harriet Lehabe, Camilla Walker and child star Lihle Mvelase who makes her feature film debut.
A truly South African cast, a truly South African story, confronting issues, which plague us daily. I am told that the Nelson Mandela Foundation plans to use yesterday as a resource in the foundation's social development programme.
At the same time as South Africans we can use this film as an inspiration, giving us courage and hope.
So, this is an occasion for us to celebrate.
We are already on the world map: Sarafina, Charlize Theron, Anant Singh, to name a few. We are still rolling friends and I can assure you that South African film will catapult to magnificent heights.
Good Luck!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
14 June 2004
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: S Ndebele: International Film Festival
ADDRESS BY KWAZULU-NATAL PREMIER, S'BU NDEBELE, AT OPENING NIGHT OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 14 June 2004
Durban International Film Festival founder and director, Ros Sarkin
World acclaimed producer Anant Singh
Movie moghul Moosa Moosa
Director for the Centre of Creative Arts, Peter Rorvik
John Samuel of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
And producer of Yesterday, Darrel Roodt
Artists
Directors
Producers
Patrons
Ladies and Gentlemen.
The energy generated by all of you in the Durban International Film Festival contributing towards the democratisation of this country and further creating the space for South Africans who did not fit into the status quo needs congratulations.
I salute you Ms Ros Sarkin and all in DIFF on your silver anniversary. We Durbanites are proud of you. We in the province offer our heartiest congratulations.
African Renaissance and film
2004 marks ten years of democracy in South Africa and twenty-five years of DIFF. That is indeed a long way we have come. DIFF has been at the forefront of promoting the South African film industry during the days of apartheid.
African Renaissance is a matter close to my heart. In celebrating African film we are celebrating Africa's culture, tradition, people and history. We are celebrating the African way of life and showing the world through film that no more can Africa be discounted.
It is encouraging to note the prominence of South African and African film in the line up - truly in the spirit of the African Renaissance. And also to commend those film makers coming from Tibet, India, Iran, Germany, Denmark, Canada, who offer us film - not Hollywood glitz and glamour - but features which look at social issues that make a dent to our thinking.
We welcome you to this film festival.
Democracy and Growth
2004 marks the celebration of ten years of democracy in South Africa.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government is firmly committed to the new economic plan for Africa's development, NEPAD and festivals such as DIFF assist in integrating Africa's film makers and their products to form a uniquely African product therein making the African film industry a force to content with in international circles.
The festival has responded to the new economic potential of the region, promoting the film industry is a vital component in the development of economic potential for the region; have united African film makers; have provided a platform for the screening and consumption of African film; and more importantly empowered Africans and countries in the third world to compete.
We want to make KwaZulu-Natal an integral part of the South African film industry. This is a mutual goal of DIFF and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government. We would like to see more films filmed in KWAZULU-NATAL as well as produced. This will stimulate our local economy, empower marginalised people, promote local tourism, enhance cultural tourism and tell local stories by immortalising them in celluloid.
We are not just a new democracy but also a democracy in action. We offer the perfect locations for the overseas market and offer the complex issues, which make us truly different.
Yesterday is Today's success
We are here tonight to open the festival and mark its significance with the opening of the first ever isiZulu feature film, Yesterday, produced by Anant Singh.
Shot in KwaZulu-Natal, in the Bergville area, it is written and directed by Darrell James Roodt, stars Leleti Khumalo (Sarafina!), Kenneth Kambule (Backstage, Generations, I Dreamed Of Africa), Harriet Lehabe, Camilla Walker and child star Lihle Mvelase who makes her feature film debut.
A truly South African cast, a truly South African story, confronting issues, which plague us daily. I am told that the Nelson Mandela Foundation plans to use yesterday as a resource in the foundation's social development programme.
At the same time as South Africans we can use this film as an inspiration, giving us courage and hope.
So, this is an occasion for us to celebrate.
We are already on the world map: Sarafina, Charlize Theron, Anant Singh, to name a few. We are still rolling friends and I can assure you that South African film will catapult to magnificent heights.
Good Luck!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
14 June 2004
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