Image: capetownmagazine.com

The documentaries delve deep into controversial topics, from terrorism in the Middle East to male Circumcision in South Africa. In response to violent crimes against women in South Africa, the festival is presenting Filmmakers Against Women’s Abuse which will consist of ten short documentaries chosen by the Documentary Filmmakers Association. The DFA hopes to bring these three-minute films to the community and bring much-needed awareness to the issue. Oscar nominated films The Gatekeepers and How to Survive a Plague will highlight the festival along with 11 other films in the international division. South African director Aryan Kaganof’s film An Inconsolable Memory is already creating a buzz around his film’s look into the evolution of Cape Town’s District Six.
 

The Devil’s Lair will kick off Cape Town’s festival Thursday, 6 June at 19h00 offering viewers candid insight into the challenges that one man faces daily in his life as a drug dealer who is trying to make it out of poverty. Joburg will open their festival Friday, 7 June at 19h00. with Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a PIMP, an exploration of the birthplace of rap in America following the end of the Civil Rights movement.
 
Take a peek at trailers below to see what else will be showcased at Encounters:
 
From Israel: Dror Moreh’s The Gatekeepers

 
From USA: David France’s How to Survive a Plague

 
 
From South Africa: Riaan Hendricks’ The Devil’s Lair

 
 
From Switzerland: Barabara Miller’s Forbidden Voices

 
 
From USA: Laura Greenfield’s Queen of Versailles

 
 
From South Africa: Dylan Valley’s Incarcerated Knowledge

images: filmcontact.com