Interview: Mmabatho Montsho Curates This Year’s Films at Human Rights Fest

The 6th edition of the Constitution Hill Human Rights festival occurs amidst a national crisis, where our Constitutional ideals of social justice and human rights face unprecedented strain. Hence, the festival’s theme is aptly coined: “Seize the Power!”

The Festival will unite community-based organizations, social movements, non-governmental organizations, and international NGOs. This year, a film festival stage, curated by the multi-talented Mmabatho Montsho, will also be featured, and here are her insights:

IceKream: What can attendees look forward to seeing and experiencing at the film festival at the human rights festival? What are some highlights and where are the films from?

Mmabatho: The festival hosts 5 days of interactive dialogues; workshops; children’s activities; activations; makers market art exhibitions; Sounds of Freedom Music Festival and the We the People Walk on Sunday the 24th.

We have curated what we hope will be an inspiring collection of films such as: Sembéne which tells the story of Marxist filmmaker and father of African Cinema Ousmane Sembéne; Analogue Revolution: How Feminist Media Changed the World is a Canadian film that outlines the history of female worker’s rights. While Strike a Rock unpacks justice for gross worker’s rights violations and Sharpeville Spirit commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960. We also have a collection of 11 short films, 8 of which are directed by women.

IceKream: Since it’s human rights day, is it still important to hold up images of our long past to people?

Mmabatho: Constitution Hill created this festival to immortalize the memory of those heroes who fought for their human rights and dignity and were lost during the Sharpeville Massacre. It is important to remind society and educate youth on SA’s Liberation struggle heritage.

Strike a Rock and Mma Moeketsi are 2 films that unpack recent human, women and workers rights violations that occurred in post- apartheid South Africa. It is important to show our history, but not without juxtaposing it it with, and acknowledge present day human rights issues.

IceKream: How valuable are those painful images in 2024?

Mmabatho: Our collection of films is not about painful images, but about genuine reflection – and that means looking at the good, the bad and the ugly. The cathartic thing about films (when done well) is precisely that structurally, they demand relation or some form of synthesis. The collection of films are a call to action in line with this year’s theme “seize the power”.

IceKream: South African film makers are still finding it hard to blow up locally, in part, because of marketing and distribution challenges. How will this festival help empower them to thrive (especially indie makers)?

Mmabatho: This platform is not like a film market which is commercially driven; it really is about social impact films. And that’s what should be measured, the impact these films seek to make. Many such films already have an action campaign attached to them. And that is what they seek to fulfil. Commercial viability is important of course, because it helps filmmakers make the next film. My hope is that this festival will connect creators and funders so that their important work can continue, and they can live dignified lives while telling these stories.

IceKream: What sets this festival apart from other film festivals?

Mmabatho: The combination of things. I’m a director so I am very persuaded by the location. We are screening at the South East Ramparts which is traditionally used for art exhibitions. It feels like walking into a secret tunnel. The experience is akin to watching a banned film in a secret club.

The film festival is also part of a larger human rights anchored festival, which attracted a specific type of person. The relationships built here, the interactions, will be very different from a film festival where you are trying to have a quick coffee with a sales agent. Here, people are connecting over a cause.

IceKream: What do you think about the quality of films that are coming out of South Africa?

Mmabatho: I think it is being extremely influenced by what streamers want – because that is where the gigs are coming from. There are pockets of indie filmmakers, I want to say especially the animators who are doing really beautiful things. I still hope we can be more creatively daring and robust in our content as a collective – not just a handful. During the festivals I am always moved by what the Kenyan filmmakers are doing, filmmakers like Mbithi Masya whose “Baba” we are showing in the festival.

IceKream: What’s still missing, in your opinion?

Mmabatho: A formidable, undeniable, and brilliant voice. The musicians are doing it.

IceKream: What advice do you have for young film makers on the come up?

Mmabatho: Be disciplined. Read. Do the difficult stuff. And be an honest artist.