Mike, I disagree with many of your statements. Firstly, it's unfair to slate Schuster when clearly alot of what he did was actually activism for it's time. He played on many original stereotypes unique to SA. Perhaps you think his attempts were technically amateur, but, for mostly hidden camera work, the quality is actually good considering the quality of the 'Jackass' movie from 2 years ago.

Who is the 'they' you mention? Perhaps you're looking in the wrong places for finance, or maybe your ideas DON'T cut it? All I can say is that there are actually a few home grown movies that have been really good and not hinged on politics.

Thirdly, with regards to 'Crazy Monkey', the concept was born BECAUSE of MTV. Short clips were submitted to the channel as fillers and it filled a very cool gap were they were spoofing the 'Jackass' vibe. Those clips have been flighted every day on MTV and they are rad. The movie is going to be a classic. Something for ALL of us to laugh at and be proud of.

Why is it that half the industry is so damn bitter that when someone actually has some success, someone has to try and punch it down. Forget this 'them and us' attitude and get real. The only way to become part of the global industry is to destroy the borders in your mind and go for it.

Leon, I'm not defending you because I think you are a hero. It's because at least you are out there having a go. Personally, I think 'Mr.Bones' was reason enough to stop making films, and certainly proof that you can throw as much budget and post at something and it still sucks. There is, after all, only so much you can polish a turd.

I'm not dissing success, hell I'm over the moon that Crazy Monkey was a success. To me this signals a potential change in the way South African cinema will work with the upcoming film. Just imagine the day when south African films actually open in cinemas COUNTRYWIDE instead of just at select Nouveau branches. This will happen with Crazy Monkey, but lets be honest do you really think they would get R8 million budget for a film that's essentially slapstick comedy when they're first time feature film makers if they weren't 'endorsed' by MTV?

And yes, they did send it to MTV and MTV liked so much they used it as fillers, but why'd they have to go to MTV in the first place? Because their talent wasn't recognized by South Africans but as soon as it is recognized by international folk suddenly we're all too happy to announce to the world they're South African. Look at Charlize, before she won the Oscar there wasn't this adoration for the South African born actress. Hell if she was here chances are that the only thing she'd act in is Isidingo or Egoli. She wins the Oscar and suddenly everyone is only too happy to pronounce her South African roots. And no, I'm not sour that she got an Oscar, I say Bravo! But she had to leave here to be noticed.

The fact of the matter is that Shuster's movie are no longer what the public wants. South African cinema doesn't cater for the South African audience. It's a very pretentious strictly art driven industry that focuses entirely on political issues. And there is room for that, but how many people actually watched Yesterday? How many watched Promised Land? How many watched Forgiveness? Are market studies even done to see whether audiences will flock to see this? Or are the filmmakers making the films for themselves?

You say "The fact of the matter is that Shuster's movie are no longer what the public wants."
Can you qualify this or is this what you and your mates think?

Mr Bones (surely one of his worst movies) ended up being one of SAs top grossing movies in 2001, accross all categories. I believe the people spoke with their feet...

Make sure you know what you're talking about before making sweeping statements like the drivel in quotation marks above

...but Gatvol was not as successful. While it made money, it wasn't close to Bones. And the next Shuster film will probably make less than Gatvol, cause ironically the public is getting Gatvol. Maybe because Bones was such a terrible movie? Maybe because Shuster is played out now?

Has anybody thought that maybe Shuster does well because he is the only openly commercial South African film maker allowed to make films? It's either Shuster films or Art films that we make. Our public is so hungry for south African ENTERTAINMENT that they'll rush out to anything that's not driving political issues down our throats.

no. sorry dude. crap is crap. I won't feel bad criticising South African movies if they're not up to snuff. I don't care if they deserve praise "for having a go". The only way we'll get better is if we keep our standards high.

And Schuster is out there to make a buck, nothing else. He knows the rockspiders love his movies so he milks them to the hilt. Hardly activism in my book.

btw: Crazy Monkey the Movie has nothing to do with the MTV shorts. It's just the same people.

yes I agree no more political-aids-racial nonsense! enough already!! don't we have anything else to say!! let me quote a well known international actor: "Africa is boring me" and love, it is getting a bit boring!!! and this crazy monkey business is not that hot either! it might do well overseas but a quick straw poll amongst 16 to 25 year olds tells us they are not that interested.... lets try and make something of extremely high quility next time?!(without the dark issues)

crazy monkey is the best film to be made in SA to date because
it is the first of its kind, and breaks South African film making convensions, and its funny!
as a south african we need a good laugh, and it does not have to be mr bones!
Who ever said that crazy monkey will not do well is a near sighted fool. We should be excited about our film industry instead of being so critical.

Respect to all SA directors & Film producers & script writers. But yes, we are trapped in a time warp. I would like to see the day when SA film makers make some sci if films. Pitch Black was made in Australia on a shoe string budget & was great! We need more entertainment & less education. Looking at the past or addressing social issues like HIV & AIDS is great, but documentaries do that better.

Where is the fantasy? I'm waiting & will support all SA films.

...and it should be a film industry we should look at. Their country is smaller than ours, and has less population yet they pump out quality films for the sole purpose of ENTERTAINMENT amongst their art films. Look at Undead (Zombie film)/Pitch Black (as mentioned)/Mad Max etc.

Also look at England, France (which almost has a completely self-serving industry), Germany...

I know what you're thinking, they're all first world countries but take a look at Russia. They've just made an EPIC film which showcases the wars (ala Lord of the Rings style) between vampires and werewolves that cost just over $3mil US. Can't wait to see it..and I'd rather watch it than The Flyer (which to be fair doesn't look too bad)

I agree! It's bad enough being fed a load a Government propaganda on SABC news (actually E TV gives better coverage)without having to watch angst, guilt-ridden movies. Leon Schuster has produced some good stuff in his day - but the theme has been regurgitated so often it's not funny any more. Whatever happened to movies like Shaka Zulu? Why is the industry so bent on being politically correct it's forgotten the purpose of movies - to ENTERTAIN the viewer?

That wasn't a movie. "Shaka Zulu" was a TV mini series. You're probably thinking about films like "Zulu" and "Zulu Dawn".

I also agree with you to an extent. About the AA requirement, it is only fair as the reality is that the industry does need transformation. It does not mean the end of the world, people just need to partner with like minded AA people.We need to get over the "them" versus "us" debate.

But on all your other points I couldn't have said it better myself.There are definitely other entertaining but educational issues that filmmakers can tackle. I am also getting rather depressed with the content of South African movies. But instead of complaining we need to get up and produce the stuff we want to see. Sometimes people don't know they want something until someone gives it to them.

I have a lot of hope for the future of the industry

So, you agree that SA movies should focus less on politics and other serious issues right? Then why do you believe that it will only succeed if AA is taken into consideration? Isn't that bringing politics into the film industry?

Creativity has no race, religion, sexual status... it has no boundaries. By saying that the film industry should 'transform' you are placing limitations on it.

I think most people watch movies for entertainment and upliftment, perhaps relief. I don't think they go to movies to get depressed. Life's rough enough and if at the end of a movie they feel 'rougher' - who needs it. I know there is a place for social comment but we are totally wrapped up in it, and the truth is no-one's interested, or cares - not in South Africa or the rest of the world. Has nothing good ever happened in SA except 1994 and Nelson Mandela? Are there no quality script writers in South Africa ? Are there no uplifting stories to tell ? What about fiction? There are great film directors winning some of the best international awards for TV commecrials every year. I suspect they stay away from features because there are no scripts worth directing or money to produce. Sadly many leave SA and become a success abroad.

We have been stuck in this rut forever. Unfortunatley, film students are being encouraged to continue with these themes in order to entrench the SA flavour!!!!

Gee so lets lump AIDs, Politics and Racial issues into one pile and say euwwwwwww, not for me! Some of the greatest movies are by their nature focussed on real life stuff that is close to the film-makers heart. Why not just give credit where it's due and move on with your own life? Want to be that shallow, fine, but don't attack good work while you're at it just because it's not your cup of tea. Didn't you like Schindler's List or Philadelphia either?
By the way I also share your opinion on Shuster movies, but admit that I'm clearly not in the majority as they do sell really well.
If you actually have a great compelling idea for a SA movie that is not Aids/politics/racial etc, then you should believe in yourself, work hard on it and stop whining - I don't think investors go for victim mentalities!

i'm kind of proud of our film industry - at least we CAN get political movies made in this country without having them censored to all hell.

India has the one of the world's biggest movie industries - and none of what comes out of that country is watchable to intelligent sensibilities.

i'd take a politicised, issue based film industry anyday over a mafioso style lowest common denominator one.

and hey - who says issue based movies have to be depressing....anyone seen monty python recently?

SA scriptwriters can keep their issues- just write out of their depressing box.

If the Russians can do it so can we. Surely?

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/night_watch/

Don't be fooled by the involvement of Fox Searchlight. They're just distributing the film in the US.

It's budget was $4.2m US (I incorrectly mentioned it to be $3m before) and it grossed $15.7m in Russia alone.

That means that this budget was less than that for Mr. Bones by almost 10 MILLION RAND. They give us this, we do Mr. Bones.

What about this Australian film?
http://www.ultimatedvd.org/en/trailers/Details.aspx?Trailer_Id=1446023363

Undead, it's about Zombies that invade Australia. It only cost AUS$1m (or R8m). That's about R26m less than Mr. Bones. Is there even a comparison in film quality? That means they can make undead almost 4 times for the amount we made Mr.Bones for. Where the hell did all that money go? Mr. Hofmeyr's & Mr. Shusters pockets?

And talking about Gray Hofmeyr, what happened to the director(s) who gave us Jock of the Bushveld? That was a fantastic SA Film. 13 years old now. Last I heard Danie Joubert was relegated to directing some Generations episodes and Gray, well, he gave us Mr.Bones. what a drop.

And it's not that we don't have the DOP's, the PD's, the Actors, the SFX guys or the creators. It's the fact that in those countries people are willing to finance these films.

Of course in our current political climate perhaps it 'looks' better for somebody to finance a film about AIDS, creating a charitable image of servitude hmmm?

Not that I'm against art films. Carry on making them, please. But for the love of God lets try entertain sometimes as well.

leon shuster does so well coz hes a mastermind a making people laugh...and thats what people need to do. so stop moaning about and enjoy it

There has been big debates about the movies that come out in South Africa...yes they are very political, but the contry only support those movies, because it is an "eye opener" for every one...im not for this, but we have only ourselfs to blame, if film makers of a few years ago didnt pocket money for them selfs, by over bugeting, this would not be an issue now...the only reason Leon Schuster is doing so well is there are people dum enough to go watch it, and he is paying for his own films, he has no finacial support from the big guys in their offices...the South African Movies that are coming out is getting better, there's a movie out now, "Drum", it is a good movie, not brilliant, but good, BUT there's a movie coming out soon "Tsotsi" which i went and saw, Its a BRILIANT MOVIE, written by Athol Fugard, it is a black man story, but the movie is so universal, it so good, no politics, no racism, and defnitly no AIDS...every one is "GATVOL" for Leon Schuster Movies,. so why dont we try and support the movies that do come out of South Africa...This is a close to my heart issue because i want to make South African Feature Films...we to can hava a KalahariWOOD..get it, like HOLLYWOOD, and BOLLYWOOD...it was a joke, but catchy dont you think...come on guys stop the bickering, crazy monkey might also have racism in but its South African, you cant change something, that your not part of, i surely will try...thanks.