{"id":8760,"date":"2019-08-04T14:36:34","date_gmt":"2019-08-04T12:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=8760"},"modified":"2019-08-04T14:36:37","modified_gmt":"2019-08-04T12:36:37","slug":"the-7-best-african-films-on-showmax-this-august-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2019\/08\/04\/the-7-best-african-films-on-showmax-this-august-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Best African Films On Showmax This August 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Showmax_black.jpg?w=750\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3061\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>KANARIE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First on Showmax, now streaming<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two-time Comics\u2019 Choice winner Schalk Bezuidenhout, who also won a SAFTA for his supporting role in the kykNET comedy Hotel, stars in Kanarie as a small town boy during Apartheid who is chosen to serve his compulsory two-year military training in the South African Defence Force choir, where he discovers his true self through hardship, camaraderie, first love, and the liberating freedom of music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Directed by Christiaan Olwagen (Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie), Kanarie won the 2019 SAFTA for Best Script and five 2018 Silwerskermfees Awards, including Best Film and Best Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=62gdHGqca8o&#038;feature=youtu.be\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ZOG<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First on Showmax, 8 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zog tells the tale of a keen but accident-prone dragon who gets himself into mischief while learning how to fly, roar and breathe fire in his first three years at Dragon School. Each year he meets a kindly young girl who patches up his bumps and bruises, but can she help him with his trickiest challenge yet: it&#8217;s Year Four, and he has to capture a princess!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish (the Oscar-nominated Revolting Rhymes) and co-directed by South African Daniel Snaddon (the multi-award-winning Stick Man), Zog is based on the bestselling Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book. Since premiering on BBC at Christmas, Zog has won Best Animation at Shanghai International TV Festival and the Audience Award: Ages 3-6 at New York International Children\u2019s Film Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Zog - Dragon School\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w_qBHoLOpps?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WHISPERING TRUTH TO POWER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First On Showmax, 8 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With exclusive, behind-the-scenes access, Whispering Truth To Power charts the final year in office of South African anti-corruption champion Thuli Madonsela as she attempts to seek justice for ordinary people. After successfully challenging President Jacob Zuma for illegal use of state funds, she faces the biggest challenge of her career: exposing the systematic takeover of government by a private family in cahoots with the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Directed by Shameela Seedat, Whispering Truth To Power won the Special Jury Prize at Hot Docs, North America\u2019s most important documentary festival, among other awards. The jury praised \u201cits timely portrait of a bad-ass public servant (Thuli Madonsela) who uses her office for good at a pivotal moment in South African politics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hot Docs 2018 Trailers: WHISPERING TRUTH TO POWER\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4y5TEGKa_u4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>STROOMOP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due 12 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a desperate effort to find healing, five women in a self-help group find themselves on the Orange River on adventure therapy. What\u2019s the worst that can happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ivan Botha\u2019s directorial debut, starring his wife DonnaLee Roberts (Pad Na Jou Hart, Vir Altyd), Stroomop was the second most popular local film at the South African box office in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The adventure story also won Best Feature Film at WorldFest Houston 2019 and SAFTA awards for Best Supporting Actress (Ilse Klink from Isidingo) and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Minuche Bridgette Snyman).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"STROOMOP - Trailer (2018)\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tFtjQKLElTQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>LIYANA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First on Showmax, 15 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liyana is a genre-defying documentary that tells the story of five children in the Kingdom of Eswatini who, with some guidance from South African storyteller Gcina Mhlope, turn past trauma into an original fable about a girl named Liyana, who embarks on a perilous quest to save her young twin brothers. The film weaves her animated journey together with poetic documentary scenes to create an inspiring tale of perseverance and hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winner of 35 awards, Liyana is the directorial debut of Swaziland-born and raised Aaron Kopp, who shot the Oscar-winning documentary Saving Face and the Oscar-nominated The Hunting Ground. It\u2019s executive produced by Emmy winner Thandie Newton (Westworld), produced by Oscar winner Daniel Junge (Saving Face), and edited by Davis Coombe (Chasing Coral, Chasing Ice). Nigerian Shofela Coker created the stunning animated artwork, while South African Philip Miller composed the score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LIYANA TRAILER\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CjT9RtV9gs4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>STORIES OF OUR LIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 15 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Created by The Nest Collective, Stories Of Our Lives is a multi-award-winning anthology of five short films about the queer experience in Kenya, co-produced by South Africa\u2019s Big World Cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBrave and beautiful filmmaking, based on true stories that cannot fail to touch each one of us.&#8221; Teddy Award jury, Berlin International Film Festival<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stories Of Our Lives - Official Trailer\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KxDr1ue-lHc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ELLEN: DIE STORIE VAN ELLEN PAKKIES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 24 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2007, the death of 20-year-old Abie Pakkies created a stir in South Africa and the world. The most disturbing part of the case was that the murderer was his mother, Ellen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on that disturbing true story, Ellen was the third most popular local film at the South African box office in 2018, despite its harrowing storyline about a mother\u2019s unflinching love for her drug-addicted son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Abie and Ellen, Jarrid Geduld and Jill Levenberg won both the SAFTA and Silwerskermfees awards for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. Ellen also won Best Director (Daryn Joshua from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2017\/02\/23\/noem-my-skollie-call-me-thief-dvd-review\/\">Noem My Skollie<\/a>) and Best Score (Quinn Lubbe) at the SAFTAs, as well as Best Script (Amy Jephta) at Silwerskermfees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Amptelike lokprent: Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie \u2013 kykNET\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kPlJutvmdVc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>BUT WAIT THERE\u2019S MORE\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Being Bonang S3<\/strong>  | Reality series | The final season, according to Bonang on Twitter \u2013 New episodes every Friday at 19:00, same time as 1Magic<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grassroots<\/strong> | Rugby drama | Two sworn enemies from the Eastern Cape get scholarships to the same private school in Johannesburg \u2013 New episodes every Friday at 19:30, same time as 1Magic<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Madiba: \u2018n Uitsonderlike Roeping<\/strong> | Six-part documentary |  Zelda la Grange, Madiba\u2019s long-term personal assistant, shares incredible stories about the legend \u2013 New episodes every Sunday at 20:00, same time as kykNET<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mayfair<\/strong> | Crime film | Official selection, BFI London Film Festival &#8211; First on Showmax, now streaming<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Queen<\/strong> S4 | Soap opera | DSTV Viewers Choice Award winner for Favourite Actor (Themba Ndaba) and Favourite Actress (Thembsie Matu) \u2013 New episodes every Monday-Thursday, same time as Mzansi Magic<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The River<\/strong> S2 | Soap opera | Winner of 11 SAFTAs in 2019 \u2013 New episodes Monday-Friday at 20:00, same time as 1Magic<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Wayde Van Niekerk Story<\/strong> | Documentary | An inside look at the 400m world record holder\u2019s rise to fame \u2013 First on Showmax, now streaming<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Getroud Met Rugby: Die Sepie<\/strong> S4 |Rugby soap opera | 2019 SAFTA nominee for Most Popular Soap \u2013 Same time as kykNET, from 5 August 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the African film industry is clearly booming, don\u2019t quit your day job and chase your dream of stardom before watching <strong>Chin Up<\/strong>, a hilarious reminder that life as a South African actor is far from glamorous, most of the time. Written and directed by star Lara Lipschitz (aka Gabi in Tali\u2019s Wedding Diary), Season 3 is now available to binge first on Showmax <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.showmax.com\/eng\/tvseries\/9gwo99rv-chin-up\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Girl From St Agnes<\/strong> scene-stealer Makgotso M also features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Official Trailer for Chin Up Season 3\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Yz4akB_pFeU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To see everything coming to Showmax in August, click <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/stories.showmax.com\/everything-on-showmax-sa-in-august-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2019\/01\/27\/the-girl-from-st-agnes-ep-1-2-review\/\">SAMDB review of The Girl from St Agnes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KANARIE First on Showmax, now streaming Two-time Comics\u2019 Choice winner Schalk Bezuidenhout, who also won a SAFTA for his supporting role in the kykNET comedy Hotel, stars in Kanarie as a small town boy during Apartheid who is chosen to serve his compulsory two-year military training in the South African Defence Force choir, where he&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2019\/08\/04\/the-7-best-african-films-on-showmax-this-august-2019\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The 7 Best African Films On Showmax This August 2019<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[110],"class_list":["post-8760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-online","tag-showmax","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}