Project Description

Using never before seen archival footage, this documentary tells the little known story of Robert Kennedy’s 1966 visit to South Africa during the worst years of Apartheid. It evokes important connections between the American Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa.

The film follows Kennedy to the site of his famous “Ripple of Hope” speech at the University of Cape Town and his encounter with Afrikaans students at Stellenbosch University – then a bastion of Apartheid ideology.

Kennedy also meets with one of the oft-forgotten giants of African history - the banned President of the African National Congress and Nobel Peace Prize winner Chief Albert Luthuli - living under house arrest.

With an original sound track and voices from the University of Cape Town Africa Choir.

Followed by a Skype talkback with producer Dr. Larry Shore

Run Time: 56 minutes
Director: Tami Gold & Larry Shore
Producer: Larry Shore

Selection

  • Durban International Film Festival
  • Encounters Documentary Film Festival
  • Toronto International Film Festival
  • Sedona International Film Festival
  • Jozi Film Festival

What the critics say…

“…. sheds extraordinary light on a strangely under-documented chapter of apartheid’s struggle years.” — Alex Sudheim, Mail and Guardian

Community Partner

Preceded by…

Cessation

Angola, in South-west Africa, was subject to brutal conflicts that raged for over forty years. Thousands of refugees fled over the borders into neighbouring countries in search of a safe haven. Many came to Cape Town. Here, in exile, the Angolan community created thriving businesses and families of their own. Twenty years later, this diaspora is facing a new challenge. In 2013, the South African government ended their refugee protection. This short documentary follows three members of this vibrant Angolan community in Cape Town as it maps the impact of this Cessation on their lives.

Director: Lotte Manicom
Run Time: 17 minutes
Selection: Jozi Film Festival; AfriDocs Film Festival

Followed by…

Luister

“I feel like it’s wrong to be black,” a student says as Luister begins. “I sometimes ask myself when I’m alone, why did God make me black when a lot can happen in a good way when you’re otherwise?”

Made in just 17 days, Luister (meaning “listen” in Afrikaans) presents interviews with 32 students and one lecturer at Stellenbosch University, detailing their experiences of racist abuse, discrimination and exclusion.

Filmed in 2015, Luister has an ironic connection with RFK in the Land of Apartheid with which it will be screened. Fifty years ago, Kennedy made an anti-racist speech at all-white Stellenbosch.  Today at multi-racial Stellenbosch, students still face racism.

Since its release on August 20, 2015 Luister has been watched more than 363,000 times on YouTube.

Producers: Dan Corder, Markus Hegewisch, Declan Manca, Erik Mulder
Run Time: 35 minutes

What the critics say…

“…. a sobering insight into the lives of black students at Stellenbosch University.” — Oliver Wheaton, Metro.co.uk

“Personal experiences of discrimination, racism and exclusion from learning are piled on top of each other, impossible to ignore.” — Greg Nicolson, Daily Maverick