Splashes of Fire

Film
Production: Otelo Burning
Date: 18 April
Guest: Nina Sedumedi

The cinema is packed, so packed that guests are sitting on the stairway and some are even standing by the door. The anticipation has them doing this without any complaints, we are all happy to be here. We have all been patiently waiting to see Otelo Burning, the latest South African film set to hit the circuit in a few weeks time.

In the crowd - young journalists, TV presenters, actors, fashion designers and other industry players. Earlier on, I spotted musician Adam Glasser, who told me he'd seen Otelo Burning back in London about 6 months ago. Of course he can not give it away but he tells me that it touched his so much - he cried. He tries to tell me more but, I stop him.

A member of this event and the movie's publicity team, stands before us to welcome us, thank us for being there and let's us know that we were a carefully selected group, wait -- I don't think 'carefully' is the word she used, she must have said special or something to that effect. She then introduces the female lead and male lead. They too welcome us, thank us and then tell us how special the movie is to them - and then -- lights off, total silence and the play button is pushed.

From the minute the movie begins, and by that I mean - from the logos, opening sequence and intro - there's a sense of 'art' that comes across. The creative use of an old school photo album with captions for the opening sequence immediately catches some attention.

The movie is set in Lamontville, a KZN township. It uses the backdrop of political turmoil between the ANC, IFP and the ruling National Party during the apartheid era to tell the story of 5 youngsters who discover a lot of things.
Among the more significant things their respective but shared journeys bring them to - is love, freedom, responsibility and the power of intuition.

It's a little difficult writing this review. I really want you to go see this movie, so giving away the details may defeat that purpose, so what do I tell you without killing it for you???

One thing I found really poignant about this film is how they used actors we've seen before, some of them really seasoned thespians and small screen regulars but none of them are in your face or people you might be tired of seeing. I get the feeling the casting agent was really particular about getting this mixture right. The other special thing about the flick, semantically speaking is how very few of the actors are zulu speakers and yet they manage to sell this story without reminding us of their language backgrounds.

The movie also explores a theme that is usually unrelated to black stories here at home - water, swimming and surfing.
It uses those three basics to illustrate the marriage between freedom and struggling. It also -- in a way uses the same subjects to demonstrate the power of patience if the bravery to live in the moment also prevails.

The significance of the title lies in the saddest bit of the movie, the bit that demonstrates how true the expression "curiousity killed the cat" is. Only thing is, there aren't any cats in Otelo Burning.

The story easily walks its viewer from pain and violation, through shifted and unacknowledged responsibilities, right up to love and the real meaning of freedom.

During the movie, my guest experiences a moment of boredom - says to me "the movie seems to be losing its buzz". In less than 10 minutes, the flow comes right back and eyes are glued to the screen again. By the time the movie ends and we are begging for our way out of the cinema - courtesy of fully packed, Nina is telling me about the movie as if I was not sitting right next to her watching too.
It's the mystery that makes part of the story that has her talking about the film like I didn't figure it out too.

So as she explains what 'really' went down, I can't help smiling at the thought of how the landscape of home brewed films is growing.
Otelo Burning is a fresh story, a good film and a reflection of the apartheid era without students marching and getting shot - a first, at least for me.

This is my summary of Otelo Burning without stealing the experience from you.
I am Tumi Sedumedi and I love and live for the arts

Otelo Burning will be at cinemas, Nationwide from 11 May 2012

For more facts, details and background info on the movie, you can visit
wwww.oteloburning.com/