ENCOUNTERS 2022: The Double Futures Of Athlone (with 'This Side of Fabulous')

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

THE DOUBLE FUTURES OF ATHLONE (Screening with This Side of Fabulous)

WORLD PREMIERE

Dir. Premesh Lalu

South Africa | 2022 | 54 min
This cultural history of Athlone, one of apartheid’s ‘dumping grounds’ for the victims of forced removals, is something of a delight, providing an intimate snapshot of a bygone era that continues to live in the hearts and imaginations of many of the town’s residents. At the film’s centre is the Kismet theatre, which once acted as both the local bioscope and as a performance venue for the rich musical talent of the time. Making engaging use of contemporary interviews and historical anecdotes, the film manages to sidestep sentimentality and nostalgia in favour of an emotional realism. It also explores the ways in which film was used as an instrument of control by the apartheid government, while providing a window into a time when cinema was far more widely accessible than it is today, a time before ticket prices skyrocketed and South Africa’s cinemas nearly all moved into malls and shopping centres. A delicate account of, in the film’s own words, “what’s left of the memory of the future”

This Side of Fabulous

Dir: Joy Sapieka, Tim Wege 

South Africa | 2021 | 29 min

This Side of Fabulous reveals the vibrant world of belly dancing by following a group of women from all walks of life as they use dance to reconnect with their minds and bodies. The film observes the diverse interests, careers and lives of the individual dancers from a police officer, a cat lover and a dance instructor that brought each person to have a passion for this artform. With dazzling costumes and elegant choreography, the film examines how belly dancing shapes women’s relationships with their bodies, builds their self-confidence and allows them to find new sources of empowerment. With the backdrop oscillating between the stage and the scenery of Cape Town, this small niche community is represented in all its joy, glamour, and splendour. 

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]