This week's Hyde Park Pick

On 27 April 1994, the first non-racialised democratic elections took place in South Africa, a significant milestone in the dismantling of 300 years of colonisation and oppression. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of what is known as Freedom Day, we've partnered with Maona Art and the Independent Cinema Office to bring a 4K restoration of Mapantsula to over 30 UK cinemas. Our special screening of the film at the Hyde Park Picture House on Freedom Day, Sat 27 April at 17:30, will include live performances by The Zulu Stomp.

Why come and see Mapantsula? 

It's such an amazing film - a complex drama featuring the main character Panic who is played by Thomas Mogotlane. Panic is a petty thief or a 'mapantsula' and he kind of accidentally, in his world of crime, becomes embroiled in anti-apartheid 'criminality' or activism. So, ultimately, he has to make a decision about how much he engages with the struggle.

The film's got an amazing back story. The fact that it exists is an act of rebellion in itself. It's a really important part of film history. The nature of the filmmaking process in a restricted apartheid era meant director Oliver Schmitz and writer-actor Thomas Mogotlane had to pass the film off as a gangster movie, to get the real anti-apartheid film made. This tension between commercial or permitted content vs the subversive undercurrent message reminds me of how it feels sometimes presenting African films in independent cinema spaces. Sometimes promoting African films to white-led cinema spaces requires convincing that the film is ‘accessible’, ‘audiences will love it, look at all these western-based awards it has won!’.

Mapantsula is bold, it's beautiful. Please come and see for yourself!

Mapantsula is showing at Hyde Park Picture House on Sat 27 April at 17:30. You can book tickets here.

The film is touring UK cinemas in April and May. Find out where you can see it near you here.