Joe Blog

From 1 -3 August, The Bioscope is proud to present a special selection of films from this year’s Durban International Film Festival.
ALL OTHER SCREENINGS WILL BE LISTED HERE
SWIM HARD
by Mark Penwill | 8 min
A new recruit joins a group of dedicated swimmers on their journey to the 2028 Olympics.
FLEAS
by Jordy Sank | 15 min
Tonderai, a young Zimbabwean boy living in a South African township, anxiously awaits his mother’s return from work at nightfall. He fears the worst for her due to a recent bout of xenophobic attacks. He watches over his gravely ill and bedridden younger brother who becomes desperate for drinking water. With no running water in their shack, Tonderai must now venture out to the communal amenities to bring his brother back safe drinking water and in doing so must risk his life from his neighbours who are attacking foreigners.
MEMOIRS OF AMANDA
by Lamar Bonhomme | 17 min
Amanda’s world was shaped by the harsh echoes of her parents’ criticism, and this shattered her self-esteem as a child. At the age of 74, Amanda is a testament to the transformative power of self-achievement. Defying the odds has led her to set her sights on one final, seemingly insurmountable goal: completing the 109 km Cape Town Cycle Tour for the 23rd time.
BEING YOU
by Minenhle Luthuli | 22 min
A reserved screenwriter sits in the middle of a press interview when a question about her past triggers a panic attack, causing her to faint. She wakes up and realizes she has traveled back in time to meet her outspoken younger self and must convince her not to make the mistake she has regretted for most of her life.
DEARS IN THE HEADLIGHTS
by Julia Jansch | 16. min
Dears in the Headlights is a poignant exploration of grief, resilience, and the unexpected ways we find healing. After losing her brother to a drunk driving accident, Philly discovers an unusual way to process her pain—through taxidermy. She salvages roadkill, creatures struck down by human recklessness, and meticulously restores them, transforming tragedy into art. In this painstaking craft, she finds solace, giving lost lives a second form of existence. Parallel to Philly’s journey, her mother, Caro, channels her grief into activism. As a leader in SADD (South Africans Against Drunk Driving) and a close collaborator with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), she fights to prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak. Her relentless crusade against reckless speeding and impaired driving turns personal loss into a public mission, pushing for safer roads and greater awareness. Through Philly’s artistry and Caro’s advocacy, Dears in the Headlights examines the many ways we confront loss—whether by preserving what was or fighting for what could be. It is a striking reminder to celebrate life, honor the living, and transform pain into purpose. From the shadows of sorrow, light emerges, guiding us toward healing, hope, and the courage to move forward.