Images of Apartheid: Filmmaking on the Fringe in the Old South Africa

During the 1970s, a low-budget, black-action cinema emerged in South Africa, leading to gangster and race-conflict films. This study explores these films, government-funded B-Scheme films, and international co-productions, discussing race representation and state-subsidized subversion. It argues that ZAxploitation should be considered within local and wider international paracinematic networks of genre adaptation, resulting in a unique South African form of trash and treasure.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 280 pages
\n Publication date: 31 October 2021
\n Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
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Filmmaking on the Fringe in the Old South Africa delves into the captivating world of low-budget, black-action cinema that emerged in South Africa during the 1970s. This movement, characterized by its gritty and often controversial content, paved the way for a series of genre films that defined an era of prolific genre activity. From the iconic Joe Bullet (1973) to the groundbreaking American Ninja 4 (1990), these films captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world.

To contextualize and document this unique cinematic landscape, the study takes a comprehensive look at the cheap, government-funded B-Scheme films, which have largely been unseen since the fall of the National Party. It also acknowledges the significant impact of international co-productions, such as The Wild Geese (1978), which brought a global perspective to the South African film industry. Additionally, the study explores locally made provocation, including the classic Mapantsula (1988), which pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and social commentary.

Through its exhaustive exploration of race representation and state-subsidized subversion, Images of Apartheid offers a profound understanding of the political turbulence of the era. It argues that so-called ZAxploitation films should be considered within both localised and wider international paracinematic networks of genre adaptation. This approach reveals a distinctive South African form of trash and treasure, as well as schlock and awe, that reflects the country's complex history and cultural identity.

In conclusion, Filmmaking on the Fringe in the Old South Africa is a vital contribution to the study of cinema and its role in shaping society. By examining the low-budget, black-action cinema that emerged during the 1970s, the study provides a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and political insights. It sheds light on the complex dynamics of race representation, state-subsidized subversion, and the broader international paracinematic networks that influenced the development of ZAxploitation films. This study is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich and complex world of South African cinema.

\n Weight: 564g\n
Dimension: 161 x 240 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781474450027\n \n