Lloyd Ross

An alternative socio-political history of the New South Africa through the lens of Nando's ad campaigns.

1989, South Africa. The apartheid regime is teetering. A final push is given to the Afrikaner monolith by it's own children who demand the right to choose peace over war. Through the use of archive and contemporary material, the film centers on the controversial two month music tour that burned a swathe through the country, but also deals with the build up and motivations of these young Afrikaners to distance themselves from the sins of their forefathers through the medium of song.

"How can I live in this strange land" - This lyric is from a song by James Phillips, who died age 36 on the 31st July 1995. He was a composer, musician, bandleader and the voice and conscience of a generation of white South Africans. His music was born at the same time as the Soweto Riots and then fused in a strangely comfortable way with the punk musical explosion. His songwriting bloomed through the apartheid regime's darkest years and into the dawning of The New South Africa. James was a complex person, selfish whilst showing extraordinary selflessness, giving time and often what little money he had to those in need. He drew people in, everyone was a friend of James. He lived too the rock & roll lifestyle, his capacity for the jol as legendary and abstention foreign to his nature. But despite his often arrogant and undisciplined ways, the legacy he leaves is that of one of the most aware, articulate and passionate artists to have been produced by this strange land.

Sol Plaatje was a politician, novelist, historian, musician, translator of Shakespeare into vernacular language, and founder member of what was to become the African National Congress. In 1924, a visionary South African, Sol Plaatje, set out to bring the wonders of cinema to the community. Brandishing a few educational 16mm films under his arm, Plaatje arrives in a dusty, Blacks-only township in the Western Transvaal. He is looking for a venue which can be set up as a bioscope. Things do not seem promising, but Plaatje is first befriended by a helpful young boy. And then, despite prevailing apartheid obstacles, a room is found. The township community is excited and set to be overawed by the new celluloid world about to unfold before them.

South African adventure

Five star (hotel) is a sarcastic reference to the Pretoria prison which is central to the plot. An inmate Skollie (A nickname meaning delinquent) escapes from jail with one desire, to be united with his son again. Life outside is much different to what Skollie remembers. Still behind bars are inmates Pappa, Priester and Polka, who are doing everything to prevent Skollie from being reunited with his son, even if that means they have to kill. Skollie discovers that Pappa might be responsible for the death of his mother and he vows revenge.

A medical examiner investigating a series of prostitute murders discovers that the culprit is an ancient tribal witch doctor come back to life.