Page 45 - DIFF PROGRAMME 2024

THE VOICE OF OTHERS
4
Fatima Kaci, France, 2023, 30 min, Arabic, French with English subtitles
21 JULY 11:30 GATEWAY 8 26 JULY 17:15 SUNCOAST 8
Rim, a Tunisian interpreter residing in France, works in the intricate world of asylum procedures for immigrants. Her routine revolves around translating the harrowing tales of displaced individuals, each narrative echoing fragments of her own past. As she delves into their stories, she finds herself confronting unresolved aspects of her personal history, prompting introspection and stirring a quest for identity. She grapples with profound existential questions, weaving a complex tapestry of cultural, emotional, and linguistic connections. She discovers parallels between her own journey and those she assists, illuminating the shared human experiences of displacement, resilience, and the search for belonging.
After arriving at a Cape Town police station to report a crime, Mzu finds an elderly man has been waiting at the back of the line longer than those ahead of him. The station is busy and chaotic, and the old man is confused with no one to help him. Mzu takes it upon himself to ensure that the old man is helped. He quickly finds resistance from those ahead in the line and the stifling bureaucratic system. This is an allegory of South Africa’s complex society, where a sense of powerlessness and hope exist simultaneously, often in equal measures.
Set in Shiraz, Iran, this thrilling and poignant tale follows a resilient ten-year-old street urchin grappling with daily hardships. His father’s life hangs in the balance, relying on him to secure life-saving medicine. Amidst the struggle, an extraordinary bond forms between the young protagonist and a stray dog, altering their lives forever. Together, they find solace, hope, and transformation amidst challenging circumstances.
THE WAIT
5
Imran Hamdulay, South Africa, 2023, 15 min, Afrikaans, English, Xhosa with English subtitles
20 JULY 12:15 SUNCOAST 7 26 JULY 17:30 GATEWAY 9
TOMORROW
6
Aryasb Feiz, Iran, 2023, 16 min, No Dialogue
20 JULY 12:15 GATEWAY 8 26 JULY 17:30 PAVILION 12
45TH DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 43