Lights! Camera! Action!

Fresh and unique local movie about black surfers is already raking in the awards

I SPENT a quiet Wednesday night at the movies for the private screening of a new South African film, Otelo Burning.

Whenever I get an invitation to the screening of a South African movie, I tend to sigh and roll my eyes. Especially when I see that the film has something to do with apartheid and blah, blah, blah. I am tired of those movies and would like to see more creative and positive stories. But I went to The Zone in Rosebank and was pleasantly surprised to find that the movie is fresh and unique.

It is based on the lives of two teenage boys, Otelo and New Year, their exposure to surfing and their coming of age. They make a new friend, Mandla, an avid surfer whose story is based on Durban lifeguard and professional surfer Sihle Xaba. It all happens in the 1980s against the backdrop of the IFP and ANC fighting in Durban's Lamontville township.

The screening was attended by the lead actor, Jafta Mamabolo, who also plays the role of Matthew in the local soapieGenerations. He was accompanied by lead actress Nolwazi Shange. She told me that she received a prestigious best actress award for her role in the drama series A Place Called Home.

Mamabolo also told me that he spent a month learning to swim and surf before shooting the movie. He said fellow actor and professional surfer Xaba played a huge role in teaching him the skills.

Also in attendance were sexy model and face of Elizabeth Arden cosmetics Lerato Moloi, fashion designer Marianne Fassler and Rhythm City actor Lungile Radu.

Moloi looked fab in her black and white skinny pants and retro glasses.

The movie itself is quite riveting. It does not dwell much on the apartheid issues. I liked the unique story of teenage black boys surfing.

The movie won the best South African feature film award at the fifth Cape Winelands Film Festival, and last Sunday it won the Golden Owl for best movie by the audience at the CineramaBC International Film Festival in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil. I hear it has also bagged 13 nominations in the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards, which will take place in May.

The movie opens in cinemas on May 11.

Something to chew on

THE following night, I attended the Stimorol Mega Mystery Party at the Randlords rooftop venue in Braamfontein. Imagine dressing up to party in the name of chewing gum. Surely there are bigger issues in life than chewing gum. But I soon stopped complaining and found myself having a ball, because the party was organised in a very creative way.

The theme was "Black with a touch of bizarre", and bizarre it was. On arrival, you were handed a small gift according to the group that you were going to be sitting with. I was in the pimp chain group and was given a huge bling chain commonly worn by rapper 50 cent. Other categories included pool party, disco ball, Santa's little helpers and pillow fight.

We played a game show hosted by a very energetic and funny host, Leroy Gopal. Contestants were asked to choose between money and a gift box. My group won a trip to the spa.

The master of ceremonies, comedian Kagiso Lediga, had us in stitches. He told me he was in the final production stage of his forthcoming action comedy movie, Blitz Patrollie, which started shooting in September last year.

Menu 7/10 - It included starters of vegetable spring rolls with an orange and chilli sauce, homemade potato samoosas flavoured with cumin and ginger, bruschetta topped with smoked salmon and black mushroom, and Parmesan tartlets spiked with white truffle essence.

The main course was grilled chicken satays flavoured with exotic spices and coconut milk, rigatoni tossed in a butternut cream sauce with Parmesan and fresh herbs, and a beef and stout mini pie with a crisp puff-pastry crust.

Dessert was Middle Eastern baklava filled with nuts, spices and orange blossom essence, and mini milk tarts.

Décor 6/10 - Round tables covered in black, with decorations of bright red, green, yellow and orange draping.

Vibe 8/10 - The various activities were great fun. We concluded the night by dancing to DJ Euphonic on the decks.