WINDHOEK
Ahead of the Southern Africa cinema release, AfricAvenir presents the Namibian Premiere of South Africa’s Ayanda, next Saturday at the Goethe Centre.
In a vibrant and diverse Johannesburg community, 21-year-old Afro-hipster, Ayanda, has a knack for taking neglected pieces of furniture and “bringing them back to love”. Eight years after her father’s death, she is determined to revive his prized garage business, which is in deep debt and in danger of being sold. The film crackles with infectious energy and style, capturing a vividly contemporary view of South Africa. Inspired by the possibilities of a modern African aesthetic AYANDA explores the core theme of how we let go of the things and people we love.
The film stars Fulu Mugovhani and Nigerian actor OC Ukeje, with a star South African cast that includes Ntathi Moshesh, Kenneth Nkosi, Jafta Mamabola, Thomas Gumede, Sihle Xaba and veteran star of stage and screen Vanessa Cooke.
“My vision for the film was to present a new kind of role model for young girls who are on the cusp of adulthood, much like the 2007 Canadian-American film JUNO did in its portrayal of a precocious teen. I wanted to tell a story that would allow them to consider new options and possibilities for their own lives. I wanted to showcase a successful, young woman, an entrepreneur, who manages to navigate her way through the grease and garages that typically define a man’s world. And one who does so without having to compromise her own passion, originality or style,” says filmmaker Sara Blecher.
“Being the mother of one such girl, AYANDA is my love letter to South African girls in their early twenties. There has not yet been any successful local content, be it film or television, that deals intelligently with the 20-something South African woman. It is a crucial time for a young woman to make decisions about who she wants to be in the world and this story hopes to present different possibilities to her, that are outside of the norm,” Blecher adds.
AYANDA had its world premiere in Los Angeles on June 13 where it won the Special Jury Prize at the prestigious Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF), following its screening in the World Fiction Competition. Ayanda was the opening film of the 36th Durban International Film Festival 2015. Entrance is N$40.