ENCOUNTERS 2022: Lobola, A Bride's True Price? (with Q&A)

Every year since our founding in 2010, The Bioscope has proudly hosted screenings of The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival.

Always a highlight in our calendar, the festival returns to The Bioscope once again with screenings from 24 June - 3 July. Tickets are R70.

SEE THE FULL BIOSCOPE SCHEDULE FOR ENCOUNTERS HERE

LOBOLA, A BRIDE'S TRUE PRICE?

Dir: Sihle Hlophe

South Africa | 2022 | 96 min

Lobola, A Bride's True Price follows the journey of eSwatini filmmaker Sihle Hlophe who, faced with the impending approach of her marriage, questions the notion of lobola (payment of a bride price, traditionally in terms of cattle but now also in hard cash) in the face of her feminist beliefs and her anti-patriarchal stance. The film charts Hlophe’s journey from several years before her wedding up until the big day, during which time she documents numerous lobola negotiations around the country in an effort to properly research the issues. Fuelled by the tensions between the director’s feminist beliefs and her desire to please her family and respect her culture and ancestors, the film echoes tensions similar in cultures the world over in terms of shifting gender roles in the 21st century.

COVID POLICY AND PROCEDURE.

The new Bioscope location is set to be a 47 seater cinema. We are however selling far less in order for there to be space to sit apart from other members of the public. We ask you to please keep your mask on the entire time within the cinema premises. Drinks and snacks will be on sale and can be consumed during the film, but please consider those around you when your mask is off for this. 44 Stanley is largely an open air shopping centre, and The Bioscope has a great outside space directly outside the cinema that public can make use of. Within the cinema, we will also make use of temperature reading, air filtering, and constant cleaning to make sure that The Bioscope remains a safe and hygienic experience.

After purchasing tickets, if you experience any COVID related symptoms, or come into contact with anyone who has tested positive, we ask you to please not attend the screening. Please understand that The Bioscope will not be able to refund you this ticket. We are happy however for you to give your ticket to someone else that can attend. If this is not possible, we would be happy to exchange your ticket for a future screening. This can all be coordinated via email at [email protected]