Sincerely Yours / Wa ’n Wina, 2001, 52 min.
Dir. Dumisani Phakathi, South Africa 

Story of a Beautiful Country, 2004, 73 min
Khalo Matabane, South Africa/Canada

In conjunction with “Intersections Intersected: The Photography of David Goldblatt,” African Film Festival has selected a series of documentary and fictional films exploring contemporary representations of South Africa, highlighting its culture, politics, and complex history. The series features three screenings at the New Museum on August 29, September 19, and October 10.

Program 2: Saturday, September 19, 3 p.m.

Sincerely Yours / Wa ’n Wina, 2001, 52 min.
Dir. Dumisani Phakathi, South Africa 
The filmmaker returns to his old neighborhood in Soweto and engages with friends to discuss relationships, sex, and love. As his subjects talk intimately about street realities and the ways they cope with hardships, the film reveals the gap between life and AIDS campaigns that often talk past the people they try to address. English, Sotho, and Zulu with English subtitles.

Story of a Beautiful Country, 2004, 73 min
Khalo Matabane, South Africa/Canada
The journey of Khalo Matabane, a young black filmmaker in search of his “promised land,” serves as an open forum for ordinary people to talk about their feelings and impressions of the new South Africa. In English.

Program 3: Saturday, October 10, 3 p.m.

Max and Mona, 2004, 107 min
Dir. Teddy Mattera, South Africa
In English, Afrikaans, and Zulu

In this fictional film, a young rural man, with a talent for mourning at funerals, comes to Johannesburg to attend the university. Due to a series of mishaps, he misses his registration, and ends up with his crooked uncle in Soweto. His uncle decides to exploit his nephew’s talent for mourning, leading to a great deal of comic havoc.

Meokgo & the Stickfighter
Teboho Mahlatsi
South Africa/Lesotho, 2006, 19 min.
In Sotho

This visually enchanting and dream-like film tells the mythical story of Kgotso, a solitary young stickfighter. Hired by the farmers to protect their sheep, Kgotso amuses himself during his watch by playing his beloved instrument, until one day his performance unwittingly calls about the spirit of a woman whose body lies motionless. Moved by human love for the first time since he was a boy, Kgotso sets out on a brave adventure to save the mysterious woman.

For almost twenty years, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the medium of film. AFF’s unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management but a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with The Film Society of Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually at the Walter Reade Theater by African Film Festival, Inc. and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. AFF also produces a series of local, national, and international programs throughout the year.

“Intersections Intersected: The Photography of David Goldblatt” is organized by Fundação de Serralves, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Porto, Portugal and presented by the New Museum, New York.

The exhibition is curated by Ulrich Loock, Curator, Fundação de Serralves, Museu de Arte Contemporânea. Its presentation at the New Museum is organized by Richard Flood, Chief Curator, New Museum.

Major support provided by the Robert Mapplethorpe Photography Fund.