South African Films Ranked
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- DirectorGavin HoodStarsPresley ChweneyagaeMothusi MaganoIsrael Matseke-ZuluSix days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsSchalk BezuidenhoutHannes OttoGermandt GeldenhuysDrafted into the South African army during apartheid, a young soldier joins the military's travelling choir, and romance on the battlefield causes him to deal with his long-repressed sexual identity.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsStanley BakerJuliet ProwseKen GampuA film about an African tribesman seeking revenge against the people who murdered his daughter. His crusade leads him to commit murder himself, and to trial before a court.
- DirectorMark Dornford-MayStarsPauline MalefaneAndile TshoniLungelwa BlouA version of Georges Bizet's Carmen, set in a modern-day South African township.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsPaddy O'ByrneHilarious documentary on the wildlife of the Namib Desert.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsWynand UysJamie UysLady Frolic of BelvedaleAfter a plane crash a young boy and his dog wander through the Kalahari desert.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsN!xauMarius WeyersSandra PrinslooA comic allegory about a traveling Bushman who encounters modern civilization and its stranger aspects, including a clumsy scientist and a band of revolutionaries.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsClementine MosimaneAnna-Mart van der MerweNomsa NeneBased on Elsa Joubert's novel "The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena," regarded as one of the best African novels of the 20th century.
- DirectorJohn TrengoveStarsNakhaneBongile MantsaiNiza JayXolani, a lonely factory worker, travels to the rural mountains with the men of his community to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsRolanda MaraisAlbert PretoriusIlana CilliersIn 2002, Johannes Kerkorrel, lead singer of the Gereformeerde Blues Band, has just committed suicide, and a group of friends gathers to celebrate his life and the end of an era. Flashbacks and voiceovers recreate the rise of the Voëlvry movement and the rebellion of young Afrikaans students in the buildup to the fall of the National Party and share the friends' confusion of being young and finding their places in the world.
- DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsSharlto CopleyDavid JamesJason CopeViolence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.
- DirectorEtienne FourieStarsLlandi BeeslaarJacques BessengerPaul du ToitAn actor secretly moonlighting at a failing drag club has to fight for his marriage after being caught red-handed by his wife, as well as deliver the performance of his life to avert suspicion regarding the mysterious death of a colleague.
- DirectorChristiaan OlwagenStarsSandra PrinslooMarius WeyersAlbert PretoriusA modern adaption of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL: a famous actress pays summer visits to her brother and her son on their country estate, and one year she brings along her lover, a successful writer. This leads to familial conflict, heartbreak, and tragedy.
- DirectorAmy JephtaStarsVinette EbrahimJoey RasdienMortimer WilliamsAn aging matriarch aims to bring together her fractured, dysfunctional family over Eid-al-Fitr to break the news about her new romance.
- DirectorRalph ZimanStarsRapulana SeiphemoJeffrey SekeleRonnie NyakaleA young hoodlum's rise from a small-time criminal to a powerful crime entrepreneur during the turbulent years before and after the fall of apartheid.
- DirectorCraig FreimondStarsRiaad MoosaVincent EbrahimJoey RasdienCassim is a young Muslim man who works in his father's fabric shop in Johannesburg. However, Cassim wants to be a stand-up comedian, which his father disproves of. When he gets a gig at a local bar, he has to find a way of keeping it a secret.
- DirectorAshley LazarusStarsJosé FerrerKaren ValentineBess FinneyWhen the chips are down and everything seems lost, it's good to have a best friend.
- DirectorDaryne JoshuaStarsDann Jaques MoutonGantane KuschChristian BennettA film based on the true life story of a young man who becomes a storyteller in jail.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsJamie UysBob CourtneyMadeleine UsherHaving inherited the title of Lord from one of his forefathers, Oom Piet is keen to give the title, as it will hamper his chances of winning an election. But only his opponent, Sir David, can remove the title.
- DirectorPierre de WetStarsPierre de WetGert van den BerghPaula StygerAfter a young doctor arrives in a small town, he learns that no-one living there ever gets sick. Soon after announcing free consultations, though, the whole town is sick in bed and the hotel is converted into a hospital.
- DirectorJans RautenbachStarsGert van den BerghMarié du ToitCobus RossouwA Committee struggles to reach consensus regarding their candidate as more personal details are revealed about him.
- DirectorOliver HermanusStarsKai Luke BrummerBarbara-Marié ImmelmanMichael KirchA young man in 1981 South Africa must complete his brutal and racist two years of compulsory military service while desperately maintaining the secrecy of his homosexuality.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsJamie UysHettie UysJurg du PreezThe film is a comedy about a shy farmer named Hans Botha who is asked to pick up a young school teacher named Martie du Toit. When Hans arrives at the bus stop to pick up Martie he is completely dumbstruck by her beauty and only able to say the phrases, "It looks like rain." and "It was an accident." The two experience many difficulties along the way, mostly due to Hans' ancient car.
- DirectorJahmil X.T. QubekaStarsEzra MabengezaPeter KurthKandyse McClureIn a racially-charged and violent 1950's rural South Africa, a liberal journalist recounts the epic chase, edge-of-your-seat capture and intriguing trial of a flamboyant, native "Robin Hood". His captivating re-imagining, paints a portrait of a divisive outlaw - hunted by the government, elusive even to his loved ones, all whilst remaining a champion of the disenchanted.
- DirectorTruida LouwStarsBabs LakerDawid van der WaltCor NortjéDr. Karel Beyers - whose marriage and practice are threatened by a subdued smearing campaign of gossip stories, phone calls and nameless letters - decide to take matters into his own hands.
- DirectorHanneke SchutteStarsLouw VenterTerence BridgettGys de VilliersJimmy, a conservative corn farmer is elated when his rich gay uncle offers him a way to save his farm from bankruptcy - only to find out he'll have to bare his midriff and master the up-do.
- DirectorHanneke SchutteStarsAnchen du PlessisRika SennettPierre van PletzenGideonette, a timid and visionary girl, lives with her parents in a small town. Her dad Gideon battles daily to allay her fears about the curse of the Gideon de La Reys. Throughout their family history, every Gideon de La Rey died in a freak accident at a young age. To prove everyone wrong, Gideon named his daughter--Gideonette. Although Gideonette has had to endure endless teasing about the curse, her dad has tried to convince her that they'll both grow old. When he suddenly dies, her worst fears are realized and she retreats into a dark world where her imagination runs wild. Realising that Gideonette needs to get away from the curse, her mom sends her to her grandparents. Here Gideonette meets Bhubesi, a deaf boy who's 'training' to become an astronaut. While her grandfather builds Bhubesi a Moonship, the brave boy wins her trust and they embark on a curious journey of wordless friendship that helps her realise she can't hide from death. When fate hands her a final blow and her newfound strength is tested, she must decide whether she will let the curse consume her--or whether she'll defy it.
- DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsIdris ElbaNaomie HarrisTerry PhetoA chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
- DirectorMax Fabian MeisA place on the Cape Flats in 2009: A society challenged by gang violence and drug abuse but with people involved that want to make a difference. We follow four characters representing four generations (childhood, youth, adulthood and senior) through their neighborhood. They see their surroundings out of different angles and find themselves in different situations. But they all wish for better, for a brighter future. You can feel that people want to do better but they are very often trapped in a circle of poverty that is hard to breach. The frustration of the citizens of THE DORP finds expression in a violent clash with the Police, one of the biggest community uprisings against the authorities in the area since Apartheid has ended.
- DirectorIvan HallStarsLeon le RouxBrenda BellHelga van WykThe film is a historical drama speculating on the fate of the missing Kruger millions. Could love and intrigue have played a role?
- DirectorDonovan MarshStarsJohn CleeseTroye SivanJamie RoyalIt's South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it's Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys only private boarding school.
- DirectorLouis de WittStarsKen GampuJoe LopezAbigail KubekaWhen a mysterious gangster starts sabotaging soccer team The Eagles' chance at winning the upcoming championship final, there is only one man who can save the day...Joe Bullet.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsJamie UysHettie UysMarietjie UysHans and his daughter Marietjie go to Johannesburg to patent his peanut-sorting machine.
- DirectorGavin HoodStarsHelen MirrenAaron PaulAlan RickmanCol. Katherine Powell, a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsJamie UysReinet MaasdorpGert van den BerghPietergrahamsbosch has its first beauty contest, "Miss South East," with a top prize of 25000 rand.
- DirectorPierre de WetStarsFrederik BurgersPieter GeldenhuysJaco van der WesthuizenWhen a practical joke goes wrong, students at a senior college tell the the rector that Piet Louw's aunt has promised to make a donation to the college. Piet disguises himself as the aunt, but then the rector falls in love with 'her'.
- DirectorDonovan MarshStarsS'Dumo MtshaliPresley ChweneyagaeIsrael Matseke-ZuluAn undercover cop risks his career (and life) to settle a score.
- DirectorPierre de WetStarsAl DebboFrederik BurgersVera GibsonIn order to earn a regular living, two unsuccessful entertainers join the navy. They soon find themselves unwittingly involved in a scheme to smuggle stolen diamonds out of the country.
- DirectorJamie UysStarsJamie UysBob CourtneyReinet MaasdorpInternational diplomats take part in a walking competition, heading towards a major conference in Paris.
- DirectorBladon PeakeStarsAndré HuguenetGert van den BerghJapie van NiekerkInspan is dedicated to tough pioneers, who along dangerous roads - with courage and strength - developed the vital transport routes for a young and growing country - the transport riders.
- DirectorDonovan MarshStarsJohn CleeseTroye SivanSven RuygrokSpud faces the second year of boarding school whilst still waiting for his own body to mature as much as he has.
- DirectorKatinka HeynsStarsDawid MinnaarElize CawoodMarius WeyersDie Wonderwerker tells the story of Eugène Marais, a famous Afrikaans writer, poet and researcher. The story focuses on the few months he spends on the Van Rooyen's farm, where he falls in love with the 19-year-old Jane Brayshaw.
- DirectorTonie van der MerweStarsKen GampuSol RachiloVivian SolomonsBullet is back, and this time he will have to stake his entire reputation on the line as he goes deep undercover in prison to unfold the mystery of a police corruption ring, being run by one of the most wanted mob bosses in the country, a man known only as Snake.
- DirectorJohn BarkerStarsTroye SivanSven RuygrokBlessing XabaAs Spud Milton continues his awkward stagger through adolescence, he learns one of life's most important lessons: When dealing with women and cretins, nothing is ever quite as it seems. "I'm practically a man in most areas," writes Spud confidently on his sixteenth birthday. The year is 1992 and, in South Africa, radical change is in the air. The country may be on the bumpy road to an uncertain future, but Spud Milton is hoping for a smooth ride as he returns to boarding school as a senior. Instead, he discovers that his vindictive arch enemy is back to taunt him and that a garrulous Malawian has taken residence in his dormitory, along with the regular inmates and misfits he calls friends. Spud's world has never seemed less certain; he attempts to master Shakespeare, wrestles constantly with his God, and the power of negative thinking, and develops an aversion to fried fish after a shocking discovery about his grandmother, Wombat.
- DirectorCraig GardnerStarsNeels ClasenDavid DukasErica WesselsA troubled young man has a series of dreams in which he is a combat soldier in the South African Bush War, where he meets his father at the same age. Getting to know him gives the son insight and compassion, and he is able to let go of life-long feelings of abandonment and anger, which leads to forgiveness and a real-life reconciliation.
- DirectorKoos RoetsStarsDon LeonardPieter JoubertTrudi du PlessisAfter a drunken hit-and-run, composer Fritz is released from prison and wanders the country in search of work and solace.
- DirectorBonnie RodiniStarsErica WesselsSven RuygrokCaleb PayneOlive Pappadopoulous, 35, an Oral Hygienist, flees Cape Town for Greece to try outwit a broken heart, but is faced with the local villagers hostility and is befriended by a 7 year old refugee who teaches her how to live "The Good Life"
- DirectorKoos RoetsStarsWillie EsterhuizenDeon LotzMarius WeyersHe's a little slow and a little confused much of the time, but mostly he's harmless.
- DirectorPierre de WetStarsPierre de WetEugénie HeynsJan Brill
- DirectorKatleho RamaphakelaRethabile RamaphakelaStarsFulu MugovhaniThabo MalemaTiffany BarbuzanoDineo is the definition of serial monogamist. She dates to fall in love; she falls in love to get married. But she never gets married. She always ends up being dumped. When she meets Lunga Sibiya, he seems to be the man she's waited her whole life for, a man who shares her values when it comes to love and relationships. Or so she thinks - Until she accidentally finds out that the man she was busy planning her forever with, had been planning his forever with someone else. After a messy breakup with Lunga, her commitment-phobic bestie, Noni, helps Dineo face what she dreads most: life as a single woman. Forced to move out of Lunga's apartment, Dineo seeks refuge with Noni. But letting go of another failed relationship is hard for Dineo. Now at her lowest point, Noni encourages Dineo to enjoy the spoils of singledom. Have fun. Meet new people. Become her own person. It's an intimidating notion for Dineo. She hasn't been single in years. But Noni is happy to be her guide. Together, they take the city night life by storm. But love is a difficult thing to avoid: Noni unexpectedly finds herself falling for an unlikely man and Dineo struggles to sidestep the traps of her romantic flaws. This is further complicated when Lunga realises the mistake he's made and declares his undying love to Dineo, wanting her back. Is Dineo strong enough to honour the new version of herself or will her fear of loneliness have her running back into Lunga's arms?
- DirectorJozua MalherbeStarsRolanda MaraisDavid LouwGérard RudolfShrouded in a veil of mystery, Sonja Daneel arrives at the luxurious Hotel Njala, which belongs to the Joubert family, to start as the establishment's new receptionist. However, following a freak car accident, Daleen can't remember who she is, where she comes from or why she chose to accept a position at this place. With the help of the cynical lieutenant Conrad Nolte, Sonja hesitantly sweeps aside the veil of her forgotten memories and begins to uncover disturbing details about Hotel Njala and the Jouberts. A series of murders shocks all involved with the Hotel to the core. Sonja Daneel realises - only by confronting her true identity can she save her life and put the ghost that has haunted her past to rest.
- DirectorAl DebboStarsAl DebboGert van den BerghTrudie RossouwTom learns his father's large fortune will be "gifted to whichever of his sons has had the worst lot by their next birthday", and so sets about dismantling his life.
- DirectorQuentin KrogStarsDonnaLee RobertsArmand AucampRolanda MaraisAfter a prolific South African writer disappears, a journalist is motivated by ambition to uncover the writer's secret history.
- DirectorDanie JoubertDuncan MacNeillieStarsSean GallagherFay MastersonWilson DunsterIn 1886 the 20 years old Percy Fitzpatrick sets out from Kaapstad (Cape Town) for the Transvaal to dig for gold. On his way he prevents the weakly puppy Jock from being drowned and adopts him. But when they finally reach the destination of his journey, there's no gold there anymore. So Percy starts out as a foreman, and henceforth he and Jock live through many exciting adventures involving wild animals and slave drivers.
- DirectorGary van der MerweWally van der MerweStarsGugu MehlomakhuluKaizer MlanduLucky MsomiLanga's father has just married his pregnant girlfriend. Soon the conniving stepmother begins using 'muti' (traditional medicine) to take command of the household, with murder in mind.
- DirectorDavid ListerStarsLeon SchusterFrantz DobrowskyTolla van der MerweAfter Hanky Pranky (alias Schucks), star of a candid camera TV show, loses his job to affirmative action, he applies for a job at a stress academy. It's not long before Schucks discovers that his boss, Jack Paddaman, is morally crooked, but it's too late: the employment contract is signed and sealed. A year later, Schucks is no better off. However, his candid-camera videos that poke fun at all sectors of post-1994 South Africa prove a big hit with stressed-out government ministers. Then the President asks Paddaman to make a movie to benefit street children, and Schucks and his pals do all the hard work while Paddaman plans how he can get hold of the profits from the video sales. Add a scatterbrained secretary, a lovelorn traffic cop, and a cunning street kid, and you have a roll-in-the-aisles comedy with a distinctly South African flavour.
- DirectorUga CarliniStarsEuodia SamsonTshamano SebeThapelo MokoenaAfter a string of life-changing revelations, a beloved parking attendant pieces a new plan together and chases her dream of traveling the world.
- DirectorHarold M. ShawStarsDick CruikshanksCaroline Frances CookeJackie TurnbullThis feature film from 1916 tells the story of South Africa's Boer pioneers in their epic trek across southern Africa in search of new land. It concentrates on the struggle against Zulu inhabitants, which the Boers eventually won at the Battle of Blood River in 1938.
- DirectorElmo de WittStarsLeon SchusterDavid BloodTony SandersonA series of practical jokes narrated by David Blood and Tony Sanderson.
- DirectorJoseph AlbrechtA.A. PienaarStarsAlfred HoltzerGeorge VollaireValda AdamsThe epic (and very costly) retelling of the history of South Africa from 1652 to 1910, made to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Great Trek (1838)
- DirectorGray HofmeyrStarsLeon SchusterKenneth NkosiAlfred NtombelaWhen two sworn enemies are forced to do a road trip together on foot, only to discover that they have been conned into being part of a reality TV show, they join forces to exact revenge.
- DirectorGray HofmeyrStarsLeon SchusterDavid RamseyFaizon LoveA medicine man is sent looking for the son of his tribal king, and brings back an American golfer and a host of goons intent on keeping him in the golf tournament.
- DirectorGray HofmeyrStarsLeon SchusterTongayi ChirisaLeeanda ReddyA sequel to the 2001's "Mr. Bones," which follows the further adventures of a white African witch doctor.
- DirectorLeon SchusterStarsLeon SchusterDesmond Dube
- DirectorGray HofmeyrStarsLeon SchusterAlfred NtombelaSean HiggsSchuks Tshabalala (Leon Schuster) and his sidekick, Shorty (Alfred Ntombela), are tasked with making a movie to promote tourism to South Africa. Instead this is a comedy loaded with pranks and zany dialogue.