Here’s the thing…
During apartheid, the National Party set aside a massive budget for the creation of films for black people. The aim was to create such an industry that the films would be played in the Homelands and discourage the migration of the black people into the cities. Over 1000 films were created during the 70s and 80s. But, when apartheid ended, the NFVF never registered any of the films that were made, refusing to believe that any films were made before apartheid.
One man, Tonie van der Merwe, directed and produced over 300 films and has just been rediscovered. His films are being restored and re-distributed around the world.
Check out the documentary where Annika Larsen interviews the actors and other role players during the era.
[source: enca]
