Sneak Peek: 10 Documentary Films You Must Watch at This Year’s Encounters Festival in Johannesburg

Encounters Festival returns with another beefy line-up of thought-provoking and well-produced documentaries this year showing in selected cinemas and venues across Johannesburg from 22 June to 2 July.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Africa’s premier documentary film festival, and the team have taken extra care to curate a memorable lineup of over feature films. Here are 10 titles to put on your radar and start booking right now.

ALL THAT BREATHES

Directed by Shaunak Sen | India/United States | 2022 | 94 min

Set in the highly polluted city of Delhi and filmed during a period of political violence, All That Breathes follows two brothers who run a homemade infirmary nursing black kites and other birds back to health. As teenage bodybuilders, the brothers learned about the structure of the human body and applied that knowledge to bandaging and healing the injured and sick birds that they found around the city, an activity they continue as adults while running a soap-dispenser business.

Beautifully filmed and rendered with great empathy, the film is a testament to the power of human care to repair the damage we have inflicted on nature, the environment, and the countless species with whom we share the planet. In recognising the value of all life in an increasingly imperilled world, this Oscar-nominated documentary provides a model of gentle hope and optimism.

When: Sunday, 2 July at 5pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT

Directed by Moses Bwayo & Christopher Sharp | Uganda/United Kingdom | 2022 | 114 min

This highly engaging film follows Ugandan pop star Bobi Wine – aka Robert Kyagulanyi – in his rise from the ghettos of Kampala to a seat in the Ugandan parliament, where he now constitutes the key opposition figure. However, democracy in Uganda exists only on paper, and current president Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for more than 30 years, has no plans to resign.

And so Bobi Wine incurs the full-blown wrath of the Ugandan state, which repeatedly kidnaps and tortures him – as well as his colleagues and supporters – as he travels around the country canvassing for votes. Fuelled by Wine’s infectious tunes, the film is both riveting and heartbreaking, echoing 2022’s Navalny in its portrait of a charismatic, popular and media-savvy opposition politician who takes on the leader of a monolithic and relentless fascist state.

When: Friday, 30 June at 8:30pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

FIDDLER’S JOURNEY TO THE BIG SCREEN

Directed by Daniel Raim | United States | 2022 | 88 min

This lovingly made film chronicles director Norman Jewison’s spiritual and creative quest to adapt Fiddler on the Roof for the big screen. In documenting Jewison’s quest to film the beloved Broadway classic, filmmaker Daniel Raim draws on behind-the-scenes footage and original interviews with Jewison, lyricist Sheldon Harnick and other members of the cast and crew.

Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen reveals how the experience of making the film and recreating the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia deepened Jewison as an artist and rejuvenated his soul and artistic vision. In providing the backstory for the cinematic version of Fiddler, this engaging documentary also functions as a fascinating snapshot of working life in 1970s Hollywood.

When: Sunday, 25 June at 4pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

HIDDEN LETTERS

Hidden Letters unveils the captivating tale of Nushu, a secret language used by Chinese women for centuries. The film intertwines the journeys of two modern women who find solace and empowerment through Nushu. From oppressive marriages to contemporary challenges, they navigate a culture ingrained in female subservience.

As they strive for balance and self-expression, the documentary exposes the commercialisation of Nushu, juxtaposing its intimate origins. Through poignant storytelling, filmmaker Violet Feng creates a lasting impact, shedding light on women’s equality and the enduring power of sisterhood.

When: Friday, 23 June at 6:30pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

MERKEL

Directed by Eva Weber | United Kingdom/Denmark/Germany | 2022 | 96 min

During her four terms as Germany’s first woman Chancellor, Angela Merkel established herself as a point of stability in an increasingly chaotic world. Even when faced with a refugee crisis that seemed to threaten the very fabric of Europe, Merkel consistently held her own, maintaining a moral position that has left her on the right side of history.

This comprehensive documentary looks back on her career and personal life, from her formative years in what was then East Germany, to her appointment on Helmut Kohl’s cabinet in a reunified Germany and her eventual role as one of the world’s longest-serving democratically elected leaders. Featuring extensive archive footage and interviews with colleagues and intimates, the result is a carefully considered portrait of a political figure who showed that there is a different way to do politics.

When: Tuesday, 27 June at 7:30pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

THE OTHER PROFILE

Directed by Armel Hostiou | France/DRC | 82 minutes

The Other Profile by Armel Hostiou is a compelling and comedic documentary that delves into the complexities of identity and social media in the modern world. Shot in France and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the film follows Hostiou as he investigates a fake Facebook account using his name and photos to lure women in Kinshasa to audition for his next film. The film offers a unique and insightful perspective on identity, authenticity and the impact of social media on our lives.

Through a blend of personal storytelling and social commentary, Hostiou explores the human desire for connection and the risks we take in pursuing these ideals in a digital age. This story is a testament to the importance of authenticity and the risks we face in a world that increasingly blurs the line between reality and digital facades. The film’s unexpected conclusion also serves as a powerful reminder of the human stories that underlie our online interactions and the importance of empathy and humility in our pursuit of connection and understanding.

When: Sunday, 2 July at 4pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Tix SA
Where: The Bioscope, 44 Stanley, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

Directed by Mstyslav Chernov | Ukraine/United States | 2023 | 94 min

Following the first 20 days of the war in Ukraine, this remarkable and deeply disturbing film offers a first-person account of the siege of Mariupol, which lasted for 86 days before the city fell to the invading Russian forces. Comprised of footage from a team of Ukrainian journalists who stayed behind to document the war, the documentary offers little context for the violence, instead simply depicting the rapid and wholesale destruction of a city and the lives of those who live in it.

Urgent and visceral in its construction, the film is a difficult watch, intentionally so, but it is also riveting, playing out as a heartbreaking thriller in which the audience already knows the inevitable ending. The result is a terrifying document that is a testament to the utter absurdity and pointlessness of this – and all – wars.

When: Saturday, 1 July at 5pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Tix SA
Where: The Bioscope, 44 Stanley, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg

THEATRE OF VIOLENCE

Directed by Lukasz Konopa & Emil Langbelle | Denmark/Germany/Uganda | 2022 | 106 min

Theatre of Violence is a gripping documentary that follows the life of Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier who was forcibly recruited into Joseph Kony’s army at just nine years old. Decades later, Ongwen became the first former child soldier to be indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. The film offers a thought-provoking perspective on the events from both the ICC’s perspective in The Hague and the Northern Uganda region, where restorative justice is practised.

It raises pertinent questions about the effectiveness of the ICC and whether it is a tool for recolonization by the West. Additionally, it addresses why the Ugandan government, led by Yoweri Museveni, has not been held accountable for their crimes. Through powerful storytelling and expert analysis, Theatre of Violence encourages viewers to confront difficult truths about the ongoing impact of war and conflict on individuals and societies and the limitations of the international justice system in addressing these issues.

When: Wednesday, 28 June at 6pm. There’s also a panel discussion taking place after the screening
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

SEVEN WINTERS IN TEHRAN

Directed by Steffi Niederzoll | Germany/France/Iran | 2023 | 97 min

This devastating documentary tells the story of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a female student in Tehran, who was hanged for murder after she acted in self-defence against a rapist who held an important position in Iranian society. Told over the seven years from 2007 to 2014, the film chronicles the attempts by Jabbari and her family to extract leniency from the state and the dead man’s family.

In Iran, murder is a ‘blood revenge’ crime and punishment is determined by the family of the victim. Reconstructed from secretly recorded videos provided by Jabbari’s family and the letters she wrote in prison, Seven Winters in Tehran is a powerful tribute to a woman who, in both her life and her death, became an enduring symbol of resistance and women’s rights throughout Iran and beyond.

When: Saturday, 1 July at 7:30pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

SUBJECT

Directed by Camilla Hall & Jennifer Tiexiera | 2022 | 97min

Subject explores the personal impact of being a ‘character’ in a widely seen documentary. The film interviews the subjects of five now-classic documentaries, all of which contributed to the dramatic expansion of audiences for documentaries in recent years.

Directors Jennifer Tiexiera and Camilla Hall check in with the stars of Hoop Dreams, The Staircase, The Wolfpack, The Square, and Capturing the Friedmans as the starting point for an in-depth conversation about the ethics of documentary making. The resulting personal narratives are varied, nuanced and complex and it’s to the film’s credit that it doesn’t draw a moral line in the sand. This highly thought-provoking film is required viewing for both documentary filmmakers and documentary lovers.

When: Friday, 30 June at 6pm
Cost: R80pp, book via Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor
Where: Cinema Noveau at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg