The Swenkas

General Information

Author/Creator
Rønde, Jeppe, director.
Language
Zulu.
Subtitles
English
Published
South Africa : Thorsen, Rasmus ; Diemer, Anne, 2004.
Physical Description
DVD-ROM (72 min.)

Contents/Summary

Summary
The Swenkas are Zulu men who are entertainingly profiled in this inventive and beautifully understated documentary. Every Saturday night, a group of laborers from Johannesburg transform themselves into the best-dressed men in South Africa. They take great pride in putting on flashy suits and stand out as an inspiration for others, leaving their grimy overalls behind and wearing their best Carducci or Pierre Cardin creations to impress the weekly selected judge with sultry steps and graceful arm gestures. They are a close-knit set of men who consider respect, tidiness and virtue of paramount importance. The film follows an elder known as 'Mr Dangerous' who takes a young man, Sabelo, under his wing. Sabelo's father, once a leading Swenka, has recently died and the emotional support he receives demonstrates a phenomenon which runs much deeper than an unusual fashion show. Their tale is told by an elderly Zulu man, who builds his fictitious story around real characters.

Subjects

Genre
Documentary films

Bibliographic Information

Note
Duration: 01:12:00
Copyright Status
Copyright by First Hand Films

Holdings

Item Type Current Location Collection Call Number Volume Info Shelving Location Public Note
DVD-ROMOSA Film LibraryOSA Film LibraryFL Record 1036---