Of Good Report is a 2013 South African thriller film directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka. The film had Mothusi Magano and Petronella Tshuma in lead roles. At the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards, it received the most nominations and awards, and won the AMAA's Award for Best Film.[1] The film was screened at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.[2]
| Of Good Report | |
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 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Jahmil X.T. Qubeka |
| Starring |
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Release date |
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Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | South Africa |
| Language | Xhosa |
In July 2013, on day it was to open the 34th Durban International Film Festival, it was banned by the National Film and Video Foundation for containing "child pornography". The decision was later overturned after an appeal by the producers of the film.[3] In November 2022, Of Good Report opened the Africa Rising International Film Festival (ARIFF) and given "the premier it never had[4]".
Cast
edit- Mothusi Magano as Parker Sithole
- Petronella Tshuma as Nolitha Ngubane
- Tshamano Sebe as Vuyani
- Lee-Ann Van Rooi as Const. Arendse
- Tina Jaxa as Headmistress
- Thobi Mkhwanazi as Squeeza
- Nomhle Nkonyeni as Landlady
- Lihlebo Magugu as Sipho
- Frances Ndlazilwana as Grandmother
- Mary Twala as Esther Sithole
Plot
editThe film tells a story of an inappropriate and obsessive romantic relationship between a high school teacher and one of his female student.[5]
Reception
editReviews
editGuy Lodge for Variety praised the attempt by Qubeka in the script that captures concerns of post apartheid South Africa that is not based on racial segregation, but violence and patriarchal sexuality. The adoption of black and white sequence of images, as opposed to coloured was also highlighted as adding a positive uniqueness to the film. He summarized its review by stating "Jahmil X.T. Qubeka's striking but grisly feature swerves wildly from obsessive student-teacher romance into splattery horror."[6]
Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian rated it 4/5, applauding the story, linearity and the entire atmosphere of the film.[7] Deborah Young for Hollywood Reporter explained "Qubeka's unconventional talent makes sparks fly in a raw thriller that gently mocks genre and leaves a troubling after-taste".[8]
Accolades
edit- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film (won)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Director (won)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor (won)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Most Promising Actor (won)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Screenplay (won)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Editing
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Cinematography
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Sound
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Soundtrack
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Production Design
References
edit- ^ "SA's 'Of Good Report' scoops 13 Africa movie award nominations". 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ Tambay, Obenson (13 September 2013). "TIFF 2013 Review: Jahmil Qubeka's Thriller 'Of Good Report' Brands Him A Director To Watch". Indiewire. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Of Good Report: The serial killer movie they tried to ban". CNN. 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ World, Sunday (25 November 2022). "'ARIFF pays homage to past in the present for the future'". Sunday World. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ Levenson, Zachary (19 August 2013). "What are the politics of the briefly banned film "Of Good Report"?". Africa is a Country. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (5 November 2013). "Film Review: 'Of Good Report'". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (14 October 2013). "Of Good Report – London film festival review". Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ Deborah, Young (7 July 2014). "Of Good Report: Hong Kong Review". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2018.