#OnTheBigScreen: Crime, mystery and human drama

Nommer 37

Set in Haven Mansions, a block of apartments in the fictional suburb of the Cape Flats, called New Haven, the gripping crime thriller looks through the eyes of a former petty criminal, who has been spat out by the very world he once thrived in and left to observe it from the outside. Entrapped in his apartment, Randal Hendricks (Irshaad Ally), a recent paraplegic, is given a gift of binoculars by his devoted girlfriend, Pam (Monique Rockman). But he is in financial debt to Emmie (Danny Ross), a sadistic loan shark, and when he witnesses a powerful gangster, named Lawyer (David Manuel), commit murder while observing his neighbours through his binoculars, he initiates a dangerous blackmail scheme in an attempt to settle his debt. With deception and greed around every corner, what follows is a thrilling ride that puts both their lives in mortal danger as the world around Randal deteriorates further and further into chaos.

Nosipho Dumisa on her breakout film Nommer 37

Daniel Dercksen  31 May 2018

Scripted and directed by AFDA alumna Nosipho Dumisa.

Chappaquiddick

If you have never heard of Chappaquiddick, it's the place where the scandal and mysterious events surrounding the tragic drowning of Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign strategist who worked for Kennedy, as Ted Kennedy drove his car off the infamous bridge, took place. All secrets are revealed in this riveting suspense drama, starring Jason Clarke as Ted Kennedy and Kate Mara as Mary Jo Kopechne. The ongoing investigation into the mysterious and scandalous events forever alters his political legacy - and ultimately changes the course of presidential history.

Directed by John Curran and written by Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan.

Overboard

Hailing from one of Mexico’s richest families, Leonardo Montenegro (Eugenio Derbez) has it all as a cheerfully spoiled, rich playboy who epitomizes the luxurious life of all play and no work in this wacky comedy. Meanwhile, Kate Sullivan (Anna Faris) more than represents the hard-working single mother, wrangling children and multiple jobs, all while studying to become a nurse.

These disparate lives are destined to cross when Kate is hired to clean up the glittery aftermath of Leo’s latest party on the family’s glamorous yacht. Yet, when Kate staunchly refuses to honour Leo’s request to bring him a snack, he unjustly fires her without pay, setting in motion a series of events that change both their lives.

After unjustly firing Kate, Leonardo falls off the boat and wakes up with no memory of who he is. To get payback, Kate shows up at the hospital and convinces the confused amnesiac that they’re married. As Leonardo tries to get used to manual labour and his new family, Kate starts to wonder how long she can keep fooling her fake husband.

This romantic comedy is directed by Rob Greenberg and written by Bob Fisher, Greenberg, and Leslie Dixon; starring Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris, Eva Longoria, John Hannah, and Swoosie Kurtz. It is a remake of the 1987 film of the same name.

Breaking In

Shaun Russell is a woman who will stop at nothing to rescue her two children being held hostage in a remote house designed with impenetrable security.

No trap, no trick, and, especially, no man inside can match a mother with a mission when she is determined on Breaking In.

It was directed by James McTeigue from a screenplay by Ryan Engle.

Ecounters Documentary Festival

The highly anticipated Encounters annual festival makes its way to the screens and the hearts of non-fiction fanatics until 10 June at Ster-Kinekor cinemas at Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg, and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Encounters, the leading Creative Documentary Festival in the country and Africa, has once again partnered with Ster-Kinekor to exhibit award-wining documentaries from around the world. The festival will facilitate comprehensive screening and workshop programme aimed at bringing South African documentary to young audiences. This initiative shows continued support to young film-makers in this genre and to the practical craft of documentary filmmaking. With a selection of 37 local and international features and short films, this year’s youth focus and award encourages younger audiences and filmmakers to attend the festival and appreciate this broad arena of filmmaking. Bookings are now open and festival tickets prices are R 60.00 For more information about the Encounters Documentary Festival screening at Nouveau, visit www.sterkinekor.com.

Read more about the latest film releases at www.writingstudio.co.za