Music

AFROPUNK Cinema Noir: A Snapshot Of South Africa’s Youth Culture Through Film & Music

February 21, 2023

The BAI Showcase returns for the 6th edition on the 25th of February, showcasing short films from visionary Black creators. This year’s theme “A Snapshot Of Youth Culture” celebrates the defiant spirit of young creators who dare go beyond the fringes of filmmaking. Taking place at the Braamfontien precinct, the showcase will have classical music and a screening of digital short films, comedy, and lots more. The organizers promise to give the deepest documentation of the South African youth culture with the event.

The films showcasing at this year’s event:

The Fashion Nova BBL Epidemic Industrial Complex
Creative/Director: Khensani Mohlatlole

Genre: Video Essay
Premise: This video essay looks at the possible symbiotic relationship between the cosmetic surgery industry and fast fashion brands like Fashion Nova, Shein, Missguided and more. There’s been a lot of talk of the BBL epidemic and TikTok seems to just be dedicated to demystifying the Brazilian Butt Lift surgery. Khensani Mohlatlole’s humorous piece aims to take a deeper look at how the current trends found within fast fashion may be impacting body image, self-esteem and safety.


The Mayor’s Office Screening
Director and Host: Mpumelelo ‘Frypan’ Mfula
Genre: Variety Web-Series
Premise
: The Mayor’s Office is a show dedicated to profiling young and older pioneers who have successfully figured out a way to turn passion points into a career through monetisation. Each episode serves as a fun and socially digestible way to share modern models of how to turn passion into a career for young and older in this day and time. The episode being screened covers creative pioneers Kombonation

AreYouTubedIn Screening
Directors: Mbali Gama & Thato Rampedi
Genre: Reality TV/Docu-series
Premise:
 AreYouTubedIn is a local dive into the world of content houses and creator culture as Rampedi Media follows a handful of influential South African digital content creators as they live together for three days in a mansion, creating content, playing games and the drama that comes with it. We will be screening the pilot episode accompanied by a Q&A session.

A Lament: Visual Film
Director: Charlie Samson
Genre: Romance Short Film
Premise:
 This is a romance film that follows a boy and girl who are deeply in love and share an intimate relationship. Through romantic visuals that show various stages of their relationship from making love to arguments and just existing we experience their relationship from both lovers’ perspectives. This short film stars Shalima Mkongi and Dillan Park.

Cogito Ergo Sum
Director: Nhlakanipho Mashinini
Genre: Psychological Drama
Premise:
A young man named Phillip grapples with images of a gruesome incident that haunts him day and night. Unable to cope with the daily demands of living from lack of sleep, his loved ones encourage him to seek help from a psychologist to work on his mental health. This short film stars Sthandile Nkosi and Sandile Mahlangu.

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