Moroccan music drama Casablanca Beats (Haut Et Fort) has world premiere in Competition at Cannes Film Festival. Written and directed by Nabil Ayouch, Casablanca Beats (Haut Et Fort), tells the story of a former rapper, Anas, as he begins working at a cultural centre in a working-class neighbourhood in Casablanca. Encouraged by their new teacher, his students […]

Egyptian director, Omar El Zohairy, wins Critic’s Week Grand Prize for his debut feature film, Feathers, in Cannes. Feathers is the portrayal of an Egyptian wife and mother who experiences a total transformation when her authoritarian husband is accidentally turned into a chicken by a magic trick at a kid’s birthday party; and she becomes responsible for […]

Three Floors by Nanni Moretti is one of the reasons it is always such a pleasure to attend the Cannes Film Festival. It exposes you to films you wouldn’t normally see at your local cinema. And Moretti is always a sure thing in Cannes – a feel-good, even when what’s happening on the screen is […]

Chadian abortion drama, Lingui – The Sacred Bonds, directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, has reportedly been acquired by Mubi for distribution in North America, Latin America, the UK and Ireland. Writer-director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun previously won the Cannes’ Jury Prize with A Screaming Man in 2011, and also had Grigris selected for competition in 2013. His most recent […]

A band in Durban, South Africa, has taken to lifting local residents’ spirits by rehearsing in their drive-way so that members of the public, sitting in the park across the road, can enjoy the music for free. Local resident Beverley Cooke-Tonnesen first saw the band, Laminated Rotis, rehearsing last weekend. She told SAPeople: “They are […]

If you’re religious you may not want to see Benedetta. It’s shocking. But then again, if you’re religious perhaps you may want to see Benedetta… if you can overlook the shocking aspects and enjoy the over-riding film that is huge and brave and beautiful (with breathtaking artistic cinematography). Playing at the Cannes Film Festival this […]

Red Rocket is fantastic delve into the character of an ex-pornstar who tries to return home to Texas, to the woman he left behind, to start fresh. But the once easy money of being a porn star keeps luring him off the track of the straight and narrow. The film stars Simon rex as Mikey […]

South African sailors Alex Burger and Benji Daniel have set sail for Tokyo under the expert guidance of their coach, double Olympian Asenathi Jim. Theirs is a uniquely South African story – athletes from vastly different backgrounds united through a common passion behind one goal – Olympic gold. TOKYO 2021 – Sailing for Olympic Gold While […]

Chadian film Lingui – The Sacred Bonds, directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun has enjoyed its world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Set near N’djamena in Chad, Lingui – The Sacred Bonds, charts the connection between a mother, Amina, played by Achouackh Abakar Souleymane and her teenage daughter, Maria, played by Rihane Khalil Alio. The film deals […]

After South African musician the Kiffness collaborated with several musicians, his father, a hadeda and a cat (watch Alugalug Cat video), fans were left wondering who he could possibly surprise us with next. Today we found out – his unborn baby! Watch below as the Kiffness and his ever cool wife listen to their baby’s […]

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival there’s a surprise that’s a delight – a documentary out of competition about American movie star Val Kilmer, much of which he filmed himself during his life; and in which he stars bravely. It is a raw and emotional journey watching the film. You’ll feel that you’ve befriended Val […]

‘Bergman Island’ is a stunning film for anybody who’s ever loved the legend of the late and great Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Or even been a fan of his late movie star daughter Ingrid (who graced the Cannes Film Festival poster not that many years ago). The film takes you on a journey to excellence […]

There are a record two African films competing in this year’s Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival (06/07/21 – 17/07/21) with one of the jury members being Senegal’s Mati Diop. In a first for African films, two were selected for the official competition, Chadian film Lingui – The Sacred Bonds from director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, […]

In Secrets from the Cockpit, Robert Schapiro offers a rare insider’s view on life as an international pilot. Schapiro, who was a pilot for the South African Airlines in the 1980s before flying internationally, describes near misses and emergency landings… but also explains how pilots kept rowdy travellers in check. Enjoy this excerpt from the […]

Jacob Zuma today, Friday 2 July, made a last-minute attempt for freedom as Sunday rapidly approaches, by which time he has to hand himself in to Nkandla Police Station to serve a 15-month prison sentence. Don’t miss Carte Blanche this Sunday at 7pm (or Showmax on Tuesday if you’re abroad) as the current affairs show […]

Legendary South African singer and songwriter, Steve Kekana, has sadly passed away today, 1 July 2021, at the age of 62. According to the SABC, Kekana died in hospital on Thursday after being admitted for his diabetes condition. Other reports say he had tested positive for coronavirus and died from Covid-19 related complications with his […]

Robert Schapiro always wanted to fly, so much so that he had to rise above the challenge of anti-Semitic bullying, mockery and fierce rivalry to realise his dream… but rise he did. In a new book – ‘Secrets from the Cockpit’ – Schapiro reveals everything about international pilots behaving badly, and other flying stories. Schapiro […]

The Drakensberg Boys Choir is giving the nation goosebumps again. This time the famous South African school choir has posted a moving video tribute to healthcare workers around the world “for their selfless humanity in this very difficult time”. Watch below as the Choir brilliantly and aptly performs an ovation-worthy cover of Queen’s “We Are […]

Classic 1027 has released a statement clarifying that the change in format, which they recently announced, and which comes into effect on 1 July, does not mean that Classic is shutting down. “Classic 1027 fans will still be able to listen to their favourite music 24 hours a day online via streaming audio and DSTV […]

The incidents of hunting with dogs is escalating across South Africa, particularly in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This week, Carte Blanche investigates to find out: is it an innocent traditional pastime fuelled by poverty… or a brutal, self-serving gambler’s game? Hunting with Dogs In a controversial practice that is increasing across the country, participants in so-called […]

For the first time in history, the entire country of South Africa may soon be lit up. Eskom has never been able to provide power to 100% of the population. And while the state-owned enterprise has battled to keep existing lights on, it has been unable to spend the time and energy needed to resurrect […]

Fabulous South African soprano – Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha – has won the Song Prize at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021. The 27-year-old rose to victory – against finalists from Madagascar, Wales, South Korea and Austria – with a mix of popular Lieder, South African song (in Xhosa!) and spirituals. “Masabane Cecilia […]

My Octopus Teacher, the Oscar-winning South African documentary about a Western Cape man’s special friendship with a female octopus, has spawned numerous videos and spoofs. Here’s the latest video that’s been going viral on social media – showing viewers on the UK’s Gogglebox watching the Netflix show. Their comments are classic. When well-known SA writer Max […]

South African immigrant and Hollywood actor-producer Stelio Savante has two new films, UNDER THE STADIUM LIGHTS and DESTINATION MARFA, making news right now. The first was released in the US last week, and the second is due for release in August. Savante was recruited to the United States from South Africa three decades ago on […]

On Johannesburg’s West Rand, over 1700 hectares of waste piles and open pits have been left behind after the 2018 liquidation of the Australian company Mintails Mining South Africa. Click here if you’re looking for the latest update on what’s coming up on Carte Blanche this Sunday. With an ongoing legal battle relating to a […]