The Film Will Always Be You

Short guide to film program series The Film Will Always Be You: South African Artists On Screen launched at the Tate Modern supported by SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015 from 10 – 12 July and to be screened at Iwalewahaus, University of Bayreuth 27 – 29 November 2015. The series, developed in partnership with Modern Art Projects South Africa, demonstrates the substantial legacy of South African artists on screen. Little known outside of South Africa, the Johannesburg Free Filmmakers Cooperative was a loose association of filmmakers in the 1980s, among them artist William Kentridge. The very act of filmmaking as a vital outlet for self-expression caused Kentridge to recognise that ‘you yourself will be the film and the film will always be you.’ The programme of screenings launched with Free Filmmakers’ experimental 1986 documentary and was followed by a selection of contemporary artists’ shorts rarely or never before seen in Europe.

Curated by Zoe Whitley, Adjunct Research Curator, Tate, supported by Guaranty Trust Bank plc, and Abrie Fourie, Artist/Independent Curator (Modern Art Projects South Africa).


Featured artists:
Lazara Rosell Albear & Doris Bloom, Bridget Baker, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Jacques Coetzer, Angela de Jesus, Barend de Wet, Teboho Edkins, Neville Gabie, Andrew Gibson & William Kentridge, Simon Gush, Donna Kukama, Michael MacGarry, Nandipha Mntambo, Zanele Muholi, Thenjiwe Nkosi, Tabita Rezaire, Robin Rhode, Athi-patra Ruga, Berni Searle, Bogosi Sekhukhuni, Lerato Shadi, Penny Siopis, Gregg Smith , Johan Thom, Minnette Vári

Essay: Dr. Katja Gentric, Introduction: Zoé Whitley

Published in 2015 in Germany by Revolver Publishing in association with Modern Art Projects South Africa, Tate Modern London and Iwalewahaus, University of Bayreuth on the occasion of the Tate’s July Film season The Film Will Always Be You: South African Artists On Screen