As the 45th Durban International Film Festival comes to a close, organisers have selected to screen a poignant documentary that will highlight corruption and the courage to speak truth to power.
“The Showerhead” delves into the extraordinary journey of the intrepid award-winning satirist Zapiro, whose real name is Jonathan Shapiro.
It will make its world premiere at Africa’s largest film gathering on Saturday, July 27, at Suncoast Cinecentre as the festival’s closing night film.
Directed by Craig Tanner and produced by Anant Singh of Videovision Entertainment, “The Showerhead” follows Zapiro's journey from his beginnings as a political prisoner and liberation artist during apartheid, to his emergence as an advocate for freedom of expression through his candid assessment of the complicated political environment that exists in South Africa today.
The documentary examines the beginnings, applicability and significance of the contentious element in Zapiro’s work over the past eighteen years.
This includes his notorious cartoon of the shower-fitting fixed to the head of the former president Jacob Zuma after his 2006 rape trial.
Zapiro’s work encapsulated the core of several problems plaguing the nation in the years following apartheid such as corrupt practices, dangers to free speech, subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law as well as leadership shortcomings.
The documentary includes interviews from prominent media personalities like Mondli Makhanya, Anton Harber and Ferial Haffejee.
It also features insights from academics such as Professor Ashwin Desai and Professor Glenda Daniels as well as artist Brett Murray, whose painting “The Spear” became a feature of Zapiro cartoons, and like the satirist, was sued by Zuma.
Tanner, who gave us “Fahrenheit 2010” and “The March of the White Elephants” documentaries, said he had long admired the art, political acumen and courage of the cartoonist.
“I trust this film celebrates those qualities and his role in exposing the corruption and associated wrongdoing of those in power.
“My hope is that, given the mounting attacks on freedom of expression, as examined in the film and borne out by the imprisonment and murder of journalists around the world, ‘The Showerhead’ will affirm the value and bravery of those who speak truth to power.
“The movie will expose Zapiro’s unwavering resistance to censorship and will show how his work continues to be a crucial source of critique in a democracy on the verge of collapse,” said Tanner.
Singh added: “Zapiro has been an inspiration in his powerful vision with the pen, his satire and his criticism of corruption and politics which has deep roots in his activism against apartheid”.
“His work reflects a ‘courageous without fear or favour’ approach”.
“Craig Tanner has done a wonderful job capturing the essence of Jonathan’s work and ‘The Showerhead’ is a tribute to Jonathan’s activism and courage.”
“The Showerhead” will be released at cinemas in South Africa later this year.
∎ “The Showerhead” will screen as the prestigious film festival’s closing film on Saturday, July 27, at 7pm at Suncoast Cinecentre. There will be an additional public screening on Sunday, July 28 at Suncoast Cinecentre. Bookings can be made through www.cinecentre.co.za.