Local And International Doccies At Sound On Screen Music Film Fest

As we creep towards spring-time, the Sound On Screen Music Film Festival again celebrate the beautiful fusion of music and movies, with this exciting 6th installment of South Africa’s only film festival making it possible to see these movies on the big screen.

Dedicated to these arts, we endeavor to find the most exciting and diverse movies from around the globe (and on home ground), from Placebo traversing Russia and the stories behind local Rock legends the Springbok Nude Girls and the Radio Rats, to troubled Jazz genius Frank Morgan, Norwegian Black Metal, a groundbreaking American Punk label, an unusual biography of Karen Carpenter and a look at the creation of Rocky’s iconic soundtrack – no stone is left unturned with a wide range of genres and themes (line-up & schedule details below).

This year again we deliver brand new documentaries, all of the international titles making their African / South African premieres, with local band members and filmmakers attending those related screenings.

Tickets: R45 each On-line booking at www.quicket.co.za/organisers/572-sound-on-screen-music-film-festival or call the Labia to reserve: 021 424 5927

Expect audience give-aways like autographed Springbok Nude Girls documentary posters and Warner Music CDs (incl. Skillet, Blink-182 and “Listen To The Music” Classic Rock Collection)

2016 Sound On Screen Line-Up

LOCAL MOVIES

SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 8:30pm
Arno Carstens, Theo Crous and the filmmakers will be in attendance! (to introduce the movie)
The festival will close with the screening of a new documentary on the rise of this groundbreaking SA rock band.
A new documentary on the rise of this groundbreaking SA rock band.
Through a series of serendipitous events in the early 90’s in the small wine making town of Stellenbosch, Arno Carstens, Theo Crous, Adriaan Brand, Arno Blumer and Francois Kruger became The Springbok Nude Girls. Little did they know that they would go on to become one of the most loved rock bands South Africa has ever seen, known for their high energy stage antics and unique musical sound which combines Punk, Reggae, Scat, Metal, Funk and Jazz.
Directed by Michelle Pretorius

JIVING AND DYING: THE RADIO RATS STORY
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 8:30pm
Band members and filmmakers in attendance.
(Cape Town Premiere)
In late-1970s South Africa, there was a song on the radio about a spaceman called ZX Dan. It was by Radio Rats, a noisy little band from Springs, near Johannesburg. That song and hundreds more songwriter Jonathan Handley has penned since then remain an important part of South Africa’s musical landscape. They influenced James Phillips (aka Bernoldus Niemand) who went on to initiate the alternative Afrikaans music scene of the mid-‘80s, the Voëlvry “movement”. Jiving and Dying is an attempt to afford the Rats the place they deserve in the history of independent rock ’n’ roll in South Africa.
Directed by Michael Cross

JAZZ

SOUND OF REDEMPTION: The Frank Morgan Story
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere & festival opener)
The late jazz saxophonist Frank Morgan’s tale of redemption from drug addict, conman and convict to beloved elder statesman of jazz.
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drugs and crime. What sets Frank apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful, classic alto playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse and went on to a much heralded comeback career in the last 22 years of his life. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and redemption through his art.
The documentary film tells the story of his life and transformation through interviews with fellow musicians and people who were close to him. These are intercut with footage of Frank, and tracks of his very emotional music. Holding the story together is footage of the preparation and performance of a tribute concert in a prison. The years Frank spent in San Quentin were significant because there were so many great musicians “in residence” there that the far-sighted warden of the time allowed them to form a big band, known as The San Quentin All Stars. People came from all around the Bay Area to hear them play.
Directed by NC Heikin

POP / ROCK / ALTERNATIVE

PLACEBO: Alt.Russia
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 8:30pm
(African Premiere)
As the band Placebo approach their 20th Anniversary they were given a unique opportunity to play ten cities throughout Russia. In a time when Russia was at the forefront of the world’s current affairs, little was actually reported outside Russia about the internal culture of the country.
Fronted by Placebo’s Stefan Olsdal, the film explores the alternative cultures that are present within Russia’s major cities. As the tour travelled through the country the band went out and met various artists, architects, animators and musicians, finding out about the alternative creative culture and celebrating all they have to offer.
From Krasnoyarsk in Siberia to St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea, Placebo: Alt.Russia takes you on the band’s journey through Russia, meeting great characters on the way, investigating the alternative culture in Russia, and taking in the raw emotions of Placebo’s powerful concerts.
Directed by Charlie Targett-Adams

METAL

BLACKHEARTS
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere)
BLACKHEARTS takes a fresh look at the notorious Norwegian black metal music scene – but from a striking new angle. It travels to South America, Europe and the Middle East to follow three black metal diehards who hail from extreme religious and political backgrounds.
Hector, Kaiadas and Sina are willing to risk alienation, imprisonment – even death – to play black metal and live by its ideology. They worship the Norwegian black metal music they have modeled their lives around (with their bands From The Vastland, Naer Mataron and Luciferian)
BLACKHEARTS takes its audience deep into the minds, hearts and private lives of its characters. It explores how a music scene develops across religious, cultural and political lines – and provides comic relief on the things humans say, think and do when hijacked by passion.
Also features members from bands including Gogoroth, Immortal, Satyricon, Dark Throne, and music from Burzum, Keep Of Kalessin, Myrkskog, Gorgoroth, Manes.
Directed by Fredrik Horn Akselsen and Christian Falch

1984 RIDING INTO HELL
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 4:00pm
(African Premiere)
George Orwell may have predicted that in 1984 the world would be a colorless place where humans relentlessly bowed down to big brother, but 1984 Riding Into Hell reflects a brave new world, one of loud rock & roll and excess.
Before Metallica became a household name, thousands of Hard Rock / Metal bands in as many towns across America dreamed of Rock stardom, but not everyone can make it. One of these bands was Forcer. This documentary takes you through their rise and fall in the fight for fame and fortune, but what makes this even more enlightening is the inclusion of news- and history making events, from the Reagan election, Cold War, introduction of the Apple Macintosh and Paul McCartney being bust for marijuana possession, to Richard Branson launching Virgin Airlines, the Union Carbide chemical disaster in India, Atari video games and classic TV ads from the era.
Directed by Rudy Childs

PUNK

A FAT WRECK: The Punk-u-mentary
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere)
Fat Wreck Chords… The influential music label proud to say they’ve spent the past 25 years “ruining punk rock”. A Fat Wreck tells the story of founders Fat Mike (of the legendary punk band NOFX) and his ex-wife Erin Kelly-Burkett, spanning the birth, growth, struggles, and survival of the Fat Wreck Chords label, with bands like Anti-Flag, Rancid, Rise Against, Sick Of It All, The Ataris, Lagwagon, Less Than Jake, Descendents, Against Me!, Masked Intruder, MxPx, Nerf Herder, No Use For A Name, Propagandhi, Subhumans, Tilt, Bad Cop / Bad Cop, The Flatliners, Face To Face, Get Dead, Mad Caddies, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, None More Black, Morning Glory, Snuff, Star Fucking Hipsters, Randy, C.J. Ramone, Strung Out and loads more.
Half inspirational story of chosen family and community, half debauchery and occasionally involuntary drug use… Features interviews and music from many the folks running this unconventional label and the bands they released.

LONG FORM SHORT DOUBLE FEATURE

(movie soundtrack and biography)
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 4:00pm

ROCKY: Music by Bill Conti (32 mins)
For fans of the classic Sylvester Stallone vehicle and movie soundtrack enthusiasts alike, this fascinating study has composer Bill Conti explain how the iconic and timeless music to ROCKY came about. Various other movie and music industry personalities (including many directly involved with the film’s production) supplement his comments with their accounts, including director John Avildsen, Ron Fair, Gil Cates, Paul Mazursky, Richard Halsey.
Directed by Danny Antonelli

plus

SUPERSTAR: The Karen Carpenter Story (43 mins)
This rare underground cult classic takes a look at the life and tragedy of Karen Carpenter (of The Carpenters). Using Barbie and Ken dolls to sympathetically recount the story of the pop star’s death from anorexia, director Todd Haynes spent months making miniature dishes, chairs, costumes, Kleenex and Ex-Lax boxes, and Carpenters’ records to create the film’s intricate, doll-size mise-en-scene. The result was both audacious and accomplished as the dolls seemingly ceased to be dolls leaving the audience weeping for the tragic singer.
Directed by Todd Haynes.

2016 Sound On Screen Schedule

On-line booking: www.quicket.co.za/organisers/572-sound-on-screen-music-film-festival Or call the Labia Theatre at 021 424 5927
Tickets: R45 each

FRIDAY 26 AUGUST
6:15pm – SOUND OF REDEMPTION – The Frank Morgan Story
8:30pm – PLACEBO: Alt.Russia

SATURDAY 27 AUGUST
4pm – 1984: RIDING INTO HELL
6:15pm – A FAT WRECK: The Punk-u-mentary
8:30pm – JIVING AND DYING: THE RADIO RATS STORY + band members & filmmakers in attendance

SUNDAY 28 AUGUST
4pm – (LONG FORM SHORT DOUBLE FEATURE) ROCKY: Music By Bill Conti + SUPERSTAR: The Karen Carpenter Story
6:15pm – BLACKHEARTS
8:30pm – SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS + band members & filmmakers in attendance

Press contact: Paul Blom – [email protected] / 082 9288337
Website: www.flamedrop.com/sos
Booking: www.quicket.co.za/organisers/572-sound-on-screen-music-film-festival
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SoundOnScreenFilmFest
Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/645755582265924
Twitter: twitter.com/TERMINATRYX

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb