The South African film industry is in a state of flux. With Nelson Mandela taking control of the government, the country is experiencing rapid change. All things considered, the transition has been relatively peaceful. But, like the breakup of the U.S.S.R., the change in government has led to an increase in crime. The primary topic of conversation was the crime wave that has overtaken parts of the country.
Many homes look like fortresses surrounded by walls topped with barbed wire.
I was accompanied on my travels by my wife who worked in South Africa many years ago as a foreign correspondent. This was her first return visit to the country in 18 years. We had a great time reconnecting with old friends, and we took off several days to go on an exciting photo Safari. We also toured Soweto and several other townships, and observed first-hand the incredible poverty experienced by most black South Africans. Because the South African industry was isolated from the world community for many years, most filmmakers have little, if any, experience with international co-productions and selling their product on the world market.