Film Details
An important milestone of Black South African cinematic history that lives on in cultural memory, and introduced the singular jazz singer and activist, Dolly Rathebe to the big screen. The film is a light-hearted jaunty tale of urban migration, and seminal, in that it was the first South African film made for Black audiences. With a wide national release, support from the ANC (African National Congress), and acting as a vehicle for popular South African musical talent including Rathebe and The African Inkspots – there is much to be celebrated about the film’s initial distribution, reception and most recent 4K restoration. Although obviously, African Jim is still not the easiest watch – with outdated language and a lack of real context as to why Jim and his friends struggle in this white majority and controlled city. Despite this, there are still transgressions from the tight censor-approved script – and wonderfully, ways in which we can engage with and reflect on the activism and Black culture of the time. A 4K restoration by UK-based R3store Studios funded by the National Gallery of Canada with thanks to Villon Films. Content warning: the film contains outdated practices, such as racialised language and mistreatment of people which some may find offensive.
Director: Donald Swanson
Cast: Dolly Rathebe, Daniel Adnewmah, Sam Maile
Certificate: 15
Spoken Language: Xhosa, Zulu, and English
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 53 minutes