31 July: Day 7
The last day of the festival arrived with Durban basking in sunlight. I saw three award-winning films today, the wonderful and candid Position among the stars, the shocking lesbian drama Circumstance and closed off with black butterflies, a fly-on-the-wall production about the life of the iconic SA poet, Ingrid Jonker.
I loved Position among the stars with its colourful family who would have felt right at home in reality TV, breathtaking photography - especially the water resembling "stars" on the plants - and funny dialogue. I don't think it was scripted, which makes it even more remarkable.
Circumstance is one of the "sex films" at the festival and must have brought the Arab world to its knees with lesbian sex. It also boasts great performances, and shocking interrogation by the morality police. Those living in the west have it so easy!
I planned to end Diff on a high note by seeing Black Butterflies and although I think the acting of the main actress, resembling Jonker, is magnificent I was highly disappointed and walked out of the cinema feeling cheated. What happened to Andre P Brink? He was given a new name as he did not want anything to do with the film. Now those who don't know the history will never know! I also only realised well into the film that the character resembling him had to be him!
It still is a very personal and disturbing portrayal of the genius haunted by the lack of her father's love and his disapproval of her work. Thanks for everything Diff. I'll definately be back next year.