[Afrika Eye Film Festival 2010] Programme announcement: film two of reconcili...

[Afrika Eye film festival: African films from an African perspective]

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Surfing Soweto

Director: Sara Blecher & Dimakatso Raphoto;
Origin: South Africa, 2010;
Running time: 85 minutes

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We are delighted to have confirmed the second film under the theme of reconciliation. A brand new documentary, Surfing Soweto is scary, shocking, and an insightful window into some of South Africa’s post-apartheid lives.

‘Surfing’ on top of speeding trains is the ultimate adrenaline rush for South Africa’s disillusioned youth. Exposing this illegal and dangerous pastime, Surfing Soweto shows the complexity of how structural ‘disadvantage’ in the wake of apartheid impacts on peoples lives. The proposition being that only when this impact is properly understood and acknowledged can meaningful reconciliation can take place.


Most of the surfers come from broken homes. They spend their days drinking, smoking, and teaching each other the latest train surfing techniques. Director Sara Blecher documented the lives of three train surfers: “We have followed Bitch Nigga, Lefa, and Mzembe on to the top of trains hurtling though Soweto. We have watched their lives fall apart. And we have watched them battling to piece them back together again”.

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We’re showing a brand new version of the original documentary released in 2007. Watch a clip below and sign up to our mailing list to be in the loop when tickets go on sale!

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Posted By Afrika Eye film festival: African films from an African perspective to Afrika Eye Film Festival 2010 on 9/03/2010 03:26:00 AM