When South Africa transitioned to democracy in 1994, the so-called “rainbow nation” was hailed around the world as a political miracle. Yet, 25 years later, South Africa is the most economically unequal country in the world and the legacy of economic apartheid continues to define day-to-day life for most South Africans. Heartbreakingly insightful, the film consists of remarkably frank interviews with a full spectrum of South Africans, from informal workers to pop culture figures to artists, politicians, and academics. Moving through the last three decades, the film follows the South African narrative from the early days of liberation to a contemporary society that is increasingly fractured and in which the culture of resistance and protest is as strong and vital as it was during the height of legislated apartheid.
Content advisory: some course language.
Co-presenting Partner: KDocs
BONUS FEATURE: at this year’s festival we are hosting a series of live online discussions for several of the films featured. To sign-up for one of the 1 hour live group discussions of A New Country:
Please click here to join Prakash Diar discussing the film on Thu Nov 11: 4pm PT / 7pm ET, or
Please click here to join Jay Naidoo discussing the film on Sat Nov 13: 1pm PT / 4pm ET
Prakash Diar was a human rights lawyer from South Africa, where he defended the `Sharpeville Six`. After his life was threatened, Canada helped him and his family leave SA in 1989. He is Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice and is presently working to renew Crown relationship with Indigenous peoples.
Jay Naidoo was a Minister in President Nelson Mandela’s Cabinet and Founding General Secretary of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (COSATU). He is a Board Member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, promoting governance and leadership in Africa. He is Ambassador of AfricansRising, building solidarity with young Africans who are changing the face of Africa from the bottom up. Jay is committed to building an authentic intergenerational conversation where we question everyone and everything.
- Year2020
- Runtime60 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountrySouth Africa
- DirectorSifiso Khanyile
- ScreenwriterLee Molefi, Sifiso Khanyile
- ProducerSifiso Khanyile
- CastAthol Williams, Bev Ditsie, Lady Skollie, Zara Julius, Ncebakazi Manzi, Lebohang Shikwambane, Siphiwe Mpye, , Luyanda Hlatshwayo, Jamil Khan, Masello Motana, Kevin Bloom, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Mary Metcalfe
When South Africa transitioned to democracy in 1994, the so-called “rainbow nation” was hailed around the world as a political miracle. Yet, 25 years later, South Africa is the most economically unequal country in the world and the legacy of economic apartheid continues to define day-to-day life for most South Africans. Heartbreakingly insightful, the film consists of remarkably frank interviews with a full spectrum of South Africans, from informal workers to pop culture figures to artists, politicians, and academics. Moving through the last three decades, the film follows the South African narrative from the early days of liberation to a contemporary society that is increasingly fractured and in which the culture of resistance and protest is as strong and vital as it was during the height of legislated apartheid.
Content advisory: some course language.
Co-presenting Partner: KDocs
BONUS FEATURE: at this year’s festival we are hosting a series of live online discussions for several of the films featured. To sign-up for one of the 1 hour live group discussions of A New Country:
Please click here to join Prakash Diar discussing the film on Thu Nov 11: 4pm PT / 7pm ET, or
Please click here to join Jay Naidoo discussing the film on Sat Nov 13: 1pm PT / 4pm ET
Prakash Diar was a human rights lawyer from South Africa, where he defended the `Sharpeville Six`. After his life was threatened, Canada helped him and his family leave SA in 1989. He is Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice and is presently working to renew Crown relationship with Indigenous peoples.
Jay Naidoo was a Minister in President Nelson Mandela’s Cabinet and Founding General Secretary of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (COSATU). He is a Board Member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, promoting governance and leadership in Africa. He is Ambassador of AfricansRising, building solidarity with young Africans who are changing the face of Africa from the bottom up. Jay is committed to building an authentic intergenerational conversation where we question everyone and everything.
- Year2020
- Runtime60 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountrySouth Africa
- DirectorSifiso Khanyile
- ScreenwriterLee Molefi, Sifiso Khanyile
- ProducerSifiso Khanyile
- CastAthol Williams, Bev Ditsie, Lady Skollie, Zara Julius, Ncebakazi Manzi, Lebohang Shikwambane, Siphiwe Mpye, , Luyanda Hlatshwayo, Jamil Khan, Masello Motana, Kevin Bloom, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Mary Metcalfe