Judgement Day
“JUDGEMENT DAY” – [ South Africa yesterday, Israel / Palestine today ] “Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society” – Abraham Joshua Heschel, Jewish philosopher. “But however long it takes, the evil truth will always be out there – waiting to be exposed.” Borne out by the South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission, this introductory reference point of the documentary establishes a principal tenet of “JUDGEMENT DAY” – a universal statement about war and the consequences of protracted violent conflict on a generation of youth – caught up on both sides of that conflict – sent out by the Generals to kill & maim for God & Country. Contextualised in the history of the violent struggle against apartheid in South Africa / Namibia-past and the current brutalising bloodshed taking place in Israel / Palestine daily, “JUDGEMENT DAY” is as much a film about the post-Apartheid search for healing in South African society as it is a prophetic reflection on the steady loss of humanity of those bathed in the ongoing bloodied conflict that is Israel / Palestine today. As such, “JUDGEMENT DAY” examines how ordinary people become brutalised in situations of conflict, and lose their essential humanity and moral compass.
Visions of Street-Writers – EP 1 & 2
“Visions of Street Writers” is a 2 x part documentary in which six Homeless Talk Newspaper writers workshop, develop and write a dramatised television narrative Produced & Directed by Kevin Harris. The six “street-writers” draw on their own personal experiences to reflect and communicate circumstances that lead to and are an integral part of the world of the homeless and destitute. The drama titled, “Noxolo – woman of Courage” tells the story of a young woman who comes to Johannesburg from the Transkei in search of her husband Nyaniso.
EPISODE 1
In the Shadows of Beau Bassin
Europe – 1940. As Adolf Hitler’s intent becomes clear, thousands of Jews – denied travel documents – frantically attempt to flee the continent and Nazi persecution. After months of fear, intimidation & uncertainty – on September 4th two ships – the Uranus and the Helios – edge their way down the River Danube – destination Palestine. Crammed on board – some three thousand Jewish refugees – possibly the last known group attempting to escape Hitler’s clutches & certain death. On board that September evening in 1940 were the Rapynski Family – Mordechai & Peshach with their two young children, Yitzac & Hella. This is their story – and that of 1581 of the refugees who left Bratislava by ship on that day.