Italian Cinema in South Africa: Controluce Exchange

Nelson Mandela had already paved the way. The barriers of prejudice are broken down with books. There culture that crumbles walls and builds bridges. Il South Africa it is a rich country inhabited by poor people. A contradiction but also a sign of possible rebirth. Here there is everything and there is nothing. The diamonds hidden in the bowels of the earth and the dilapidated houses under the sunlight. They never meet. It is a darkness that always wins over the light. As if it were a world in reverse.

Mitchell Plains it is a suburb of Cape Town. One of the many settlements created during apartheid. When the government thought that it was enough to find everyone their place to avoid conflicts. A symbolic place chosen as the forerunner of a project that looks to a hopeful tomorrow. An idea that is already 25 years old. A young existence that has already put down deep roots. Bring the Italian cinema at the southernmost point of the African continent. The association had thought of it Backlightand the name already says a lot, to present the first Italian Film Focus in 2001. It could have remained an exhibition as an end in itself to convey the image of our country in the world, it has become a lock pick to open doors on realities to be discovered.

A point of reference in cultural exchange between Italy and South Africabringing hundreds of Italian films and guests to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and offering masterclasses, workshops and production meetings. And this year the project also landed in Mitchell Plains. One of the many townships that end up in the spotlight only when episodes of violence occur. As if their destiny was written in their DNA that was wrong from the start. Half a million inhabitants, an evolving community, marked by the desire for social redemption. But here we have gone beyond traditional circuits. Rlabs was chosen as the location to screen the film, an innovative hub that promotes creativity, technology and youth entrepreneurship. And the choice of film also carried a message of hope.

The lively comedy US Palmese, in which football becomes a tool for intercultural dialogue. The Italian Consulate in Cape Town led by Giulio Mignacca wanted and strongly supported the project, promoting cinema as an opportunity for participation in contexts still perceived as insecure and marginal. «The objective – explains the consul – is to share the richness of Italian cinema with an audience that often does not have access to these opportunities. Cultural exchange is at the heart of our mission, and events like this allow us to create connections through common experiences.” Cinema and a football story, the sport that more than others has created belonging among people of color. Bafana Bafana have become a symbol for the country. Sport that unites, like the big screen and helps you identify with the stories it tells. Maybe there isn’t always a happy ending, but hope is part of the script. In Cape Town there is also a lively Italian community. Which has integrated without losing or forgetting its roots. This strip on the southern tip of Africa also remained in the heart of Consul Mignacca. For this reason he became the authentic promoter of the event in Mitchell Plains.

Visions

The initiative aimed to involve local artists, bearers of authentic visions and perspectives rooted in the territory. Just this year two young South African filmmakers participated in the Unimed jury of the Venice Film Festival thanks to the support of Controluce, Confartigianato Cinema e Audiovisivi, the institutions of the Western Cape and the Embassy of South Africa in Italy.
A bridge that brought to the fore those who would become famous directors as Antonio Falduto, president of the Controluce association, recalls: «Some of them then returned to make films in South Africa. For example, Paolo Sorrentino – who was not yet very well known at the time – subsequently returned to film The Young Pope a Cape Town and in other places in the country.” Beauty that combines with education. The wealth that is also culture. Starting from where you don’t expect it.