Student documentary premieres at international festival

A Stellenbosch University (SU) student’s documentary that explores the artistic responses of state-funded threatre makers to the apartheid regime, premiered at the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival last week.

The documentary, A Feast in Time of Plague, served as Amber Fox-Martin’s BA Hons (History) thesis last year. The documentary, which premiered on 21 August, includes interviews with Marthinus Basson and Johan Esterhuizen, who both worked in a state-run organisation, the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB), during Apartheid to create theatre. 

Marthinus Basson is a South African theatre maker who worked in a state-run organisation, the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB), during Apartheid. Basson reflects on the current industry in A Feast in Time of Plague. He spoke about self-censorship and how it has become more prominent, specifically in festival-structures that don’t have a formal complaint procedure. PHOTO: Supplied/ Amber Fox-Martin

According to Fox-Martin, currently a master’s student at SU’s Department of History, the department moved into new territory with the making of this film, which formed part of the 40 feature documentaries that premiered at the festival. 

“[The film] tells the story of the freethinking individuals who worked for the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB), and the mischievous and innovative ways they challenged segregation, censorship, and the actions of the apartheid government,” said Philip Theron, technical/creative director and editor of the film. 

Amber Fox-Martin interviews Pieter-Dirk Uys, a South African theatre maker, for A Feast in Time of Plague. Dirk-Uys spoke specifically about how the self-censorship of political correctness is probably more dangerous now, than censorship was during apartheid. PHOTO: Supplied/ Philip Theron

“This documentary is aiming to remind people of the possibilities of theatre and what we risk losing if we do not take it upon ourselves to build and support it,” he said. 

According to Sharon Jackson, festival manager of the event, the primary aim of the festival is to promote South African and African filmmakers, and is being held virtually for the first time in 22 years. 

Amber Fox-Martin looking at film strips for A Feast in Time of Plague. Apart from fulfilling the role of producer and historical director, she was also responsible for all the research, administrative tasks, production coordination, conducting interviews and for equipping the team with filmmaking gear. PHOTO: Supplied/ Philip Theron

“The film uses history to take a sober look at censorship and innovation in the current South African theatre industry, wondering whether it has truly progressed or whether we are taking a few steps back,” said Fox-Martin.

Philip Theron working through archival documents at Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. Theron was the technical/creative director, cinematographer, and editor. He also served as a sound board for ideas and creative initiatives. PHOTO: Supplied/ Amber Fox-Martin

“People (through their agency) can change systems and societies – even through what seemed as only small acts of defiance at the time – to create a more fair, open and equal society,” Ehlers said. 

A Feast in Time of Plague will be showing until 30 August on the platform, Shift72, which is accessible through Encounters’ website.