SPOTLIGHT | Family fun in 'IF'; local doccie on school predators; cinema icon turns 75

A young girl makes it her mission to reunite abandoned imaginary friends with their original friends in heartwarming adventure; 'School Ties' documentary highlights the dangers that can lurk inside school walls; The Labia Theatre in Cape Town celebrates a milestone

16 May 2024 - 15:24
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

Watch all episodes

Click here to find previous episodes of Spotlight with all the movie news you need and follow Spotlight on Facebook for all the latest news and giveaways

Spotlight celebrates a milestone in SA’s cinema history while also taking a closer look at a harrowing new local doccie series and a magical new family comedy at cinemas.

In cinemas is IF, in which a young girl called Bea discovers she can see everyone's imaginary friends. She embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten imaginary friends with their previous friends. From writer-director John Krasinski, this heartfelt and bold family comedy also stars Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emily Blunt and Steve Carell. This treat for the whole family is on at cinemas.

From the producers of award-winning documentaries Devilsdorp and Steinheist, the four-part documentary series, School Ties (M-Net), uncovers the disturbing truth behind grooming and sexual abuse of schoolchildren in SA, including at some of SA’s most prestigious schools. It features interviews with expert child protectors and psychologists and provides up-to-date insights and identifying signs as an aid for parents and potential victims inside systems which have unjustly enabled predators. Don’t miss the interview with director Richard Finn Gregory (The Boers at the End of the World). Coming to M-Net from May 16 at 9pm.

Cape Town’s iconic cinema, The Labia Theatre, is the oldest independent film venue in SA, having opened its doors on May 16 1949. Don’t miss the Spotlight segment highlighting its 75th anniversary celebrations with a red carpet of great curated films, including a pre-release screening of Hit Man, classics including Days of Heaven and some of Billy Wilder’s greatest: Some Like It Hot and The Apartment.

• Book your cinema tickets by visiting sterkinekor.com and numetro.co.za.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.

Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.


Competition giveaway: movie merchandise 

Spotlight has exclusive movie merchandise from the cinema release, IF, up for grabs.

For full competition details and questions, head over to the Spotlight South Africa Facebook page, and DM your answers and contact details by May 23 2024.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight South Africa on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now