With the release of Marc Webbs’ Snow White, the Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee call for a boycott of the film starring former Israeli military officer, Gal Gadot.
Wits PSC call to boycott Snow White due to the casting of Gal Gadot, former IDF officer.
SAUJS member says that the boycott is “harmful” and “discriminatory”.
PSC supporter says the action is not about the film, it’s about not supporting someone who participated in genocide.
At the end of March 2025, the Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) took to Instagram and called on supporters to boycott director Marc Webbs’ film, Snow White, starring Gal Gadot, former member of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
This cinematic protest call follows the 20-year Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) Campaign in support of Palestine.
According to the official BDS website the campaign is “inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law … Israel maintains a regime of settler colonialism, apartheid, and occupation over the Palestinian people. This is only possible because of international support … the world help[s] Israel to oppress Palestinians.”
Jacob Boner of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) at Wits, says that “SAUJS stance on the BDS led boycott of films due to actor’s [Gal Gadot] political views is harmful.”
He further explained that they believe, “these are not boycotts against entities such as governments and corporations, but against individuals, boycotting a movie because it has an Israeli actress in it is tantamount to persecuting her for her religion and is thus discriminatory.”
In contrast, Wits student and PSC supporter Sameera Karolia, says that she, “completely and unapologetically support[s] the BDS led boycott of Snow White and all projects involving Gal Gadot […] by proudly supporting Israel’s war, she [Gadot] is complicit in the violence and ongoing oppression of Palestinian people.
“This isn’t about judging a film, it’s about refusing to support people who are complicit in genocide.”
In the conversation around the boycott of Snow White, it is also significant to note that the lead of the film, Rachel Zelger, is an outspoken supporter of Palestine, but there has been no call to boycott the film by Zionist movements.
To this, Boner says, “unlike the harmful BDS movement we do not endorse boycotts of art based solely on an individual’s identity or beliefs, we believe that opening engagement and dialogue is the way forward – not the demonisation of an entire group of people and their beliefs.”
When asked if Zegler’s stance would impact her decision to boycott, Karolia said, “No, it does not. The boycott targets Snow White because of Disney’s deliberate decision to platform and profit a vocal Zionist, who has actively participated in Israel’s genocide – both as a former IDF member and through her public statements.”
Discussing what message the boycott sends, Karolia said that it, “sends a message that entertainment isn’t worth moral compromises.”
Whether choosing to boycott the film or not, one cannot argue that film – and all art for that matter – is apolitical. Art and, significantly, film – considering its reach – has the ability to send messages globally. The act of endorsing or boycotting is a personal decision that demands accountability.
FEATURED IMAGE:Snow white (2025) cover. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_(2025_film)
Lobola negotiations are the cornerstone of some South African cultures, and no one grasps this better than Ace Ngubeni, the ultimate lobola negotiator.
Directed by Thabang Moleya, Lobola Man is a brilliantly executed romantic com that stands out with its unique concept. It centres on a character who turns the uncommon role of a Lobola negotiator into a full-fledged career. While being a lobola negotiator is typically a one-time or occasional event in real life, the film creatively imagines it as a recurring career, presenting this imaginative twist with a fun and light-hearted approach.
Given the predictability of the plot, the film still manages to captivate you with its sharp humour and wit. It skilfully embraces classic rom com tropes, like the notorious player finally meeting “the one” and the familiar enemies-to-lovers arc.
This film thoughtfully displays cultural diversity through authentic attire, accurately reflecting each culture’s unique identity. Ngubeni’s sharp intellect shines as he steps into a family home as a “fake” relative, quickly reading the room and using his keen observations to gain valuable insights into the family’s dynamics and strategizes the best way to win them over.
The film’s cinematography perfectly complements the genre, utilizing bright lighting that enhances the vivid, colourful clothing. The soundtrack, featuring lively South African classics like “Faki Mali” by Tumza D’Kota, further energises the narrative. The deliberate use of colour and lighting not only amplifies the atmosphere but captures the essence of city life and young adulthood.
Duke Maseko, portrayed by 31-year-old actor Sandile Mahlangu, is one of the Lobola Man’s more amusing clients. The dynamic between Ngubeni and Maseko adds a layer of humour to the film, as Maseko, unimpressed by his own family, enlists Ngubeni’s help to secure his marriage. Their playful, offbeat relationship brings a fun energy to the story, making their interactions a highlight to the film.
Overall, Lobola Man is a refreshing and entertaining watch. Its vibrant cinematography and engaging performances make it a standard rom com that offers both laughs and heart.
Whether you are familiar with Lobola negotiations or new to the concept, this film delivers with a fun, light-hearted experience that is well worth your time.
Vuvu Rating: 9/10.
FEATURED IMAGE:Netflix SA Lobola Man Meme by Netflix SA on Instagram.
The similarities of the covid-19 pandemic and the one depicted in the film Contagion are enough to get one to analyse every detail as an insight into what might happen next for us.
“Sew the Winter to My Skin” (2018), which was put forward as South Africa’s Foreign Language entry to the 2019 Academy Awards, is a movie that uses classic western tropes and mythology to tell its story. The movie is set in 1940s Western Cape, South Africa, and tells the story of real-life John Kepe, known as ‘the Samson of the Boschberg’ who notoriously stole food and livestock from nearby farms until 1951 when he was convicted of killing a shepherd named Dirk Goliath and sentenced to death.
Director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka chooses to tell the story with minimal dialogue, leaving the narrative heavily dependent on visual clues and the musical score. Rather than focus on the life of Kepe, Qubeka focuses more on the myth and presents Kepe as a Robin Hood type figure who steals live sheep from the farm of Nazi-sympathizer and failing sheep farmer, Mr Botha, and gives them to his poor community. The audience is treated to scenes of Kepe narrowly dodging bullets from white farmers in pursuit of him, hanging off the side of a cliff while carrying a sheep, and hiding in a well-kitted out secret cave.
Qubeka uses Kepe as a lens to tell the wider story of Apartheid and racial oppression. The movie explores the tensions between the white Afrikaaner farmers who are quick to use violence to cement their power, and the poor black communities near them who face the brunt of it. Kepe then emerges as a symbol of black resistance. The movie ends with Verwoed’s description of Apartheid as a “policy of good neighbourliness” and the stark irony of this quote is explored throughout the film.
The lack of dialogue can at times make the movie unclear. It also means that character’s motivations are unexplored, and they are left as two-dimensional caricatures. This is most obvious with Zolisa Xaluva’s depiction of the villain, who is a black man that carries out racial violence against other black people, and the women in the film, who are given little to do other than cry in pain.
While it is beautifully shot, the Western-style film sacrifices clear storytelling for flair which may make it inaccessible to many. It is also at times, quite violent given its 13 age restriction. Audiences who enjoy arthouse-type movies will greatly appreciate the layered storytelling, symbolism, and interesting cinematic techniques of this film.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sew the winter to my skin is South Africa’s entry to the 2019 Academy Awards
Photo: Provided
Five Fingers for Marseilles has made history as the first South African western film and is due to premiere in the US later this year. It is the first feature film by South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) acclaimed director, Michael Matthews.
The film, which opened on April 6, follows five young friends who fight against the brutality of the apartheid era police officers in their small rural hometown, Marseilles. One of them, Tau (Vuyo Dabula) kills two police officers and is sentenced to 20 years in prison. After his release he returns to Marseilles to find that the rest of the five have taken up prominent positions in the community. A new threat has taken control of the town forcing a reluctant Tau to band together with the five friends once again to save Marseilles.
The film explores themes of friendship and betrayal. It provides sharp social commentary on corruption, colonisation, and land, making it particularly relevant given the current land reform debates. It’s also a visually stunning film. Matthews emphasises the natural beauty of the town and rural Eastern Cape where the movie was shot, through sweeping establishing shots used throughout the film.
The movie takes easily recognisable tropes from western films and gives them a South African twist. The classic western saloon is replaced by a shebeen. There are fast draw shootouts, outlaws, and cowboy hats and riding boots which are worn next to Basotho blankets. The effect is a refreshing take on an otherwise outdated genre.
Five Fingers benefits greatly from having a strong cast and there are standout performances from Dabula, the lead, and the talented Warren Masemola, who brings much needed life and energy to the film.
While the movie is a visual feast, the story is lacking. The convoluted plot line is difficult to follow, making the film’s gory climax more confusing than emotive. The film also falls back on the lazy South African convention of pretending that language barriers don’t exist, so white Afrikaans speaking police officers are able to perfectly understand seSotho and isiXhosa that are spoken by other characters.
Perhaps the biggest sin of Five Fingers is its female representation. Lerato (Zethu Dlomo), is given substantially less screen time than her male counterparts, despite being one of the titular five. She is used as a catalyst for the main plot and then not given much else to do until the very end.
Despite its flaws, Five Fingers for Marseilles is a film to see if one wants something local and different.
FEATURED IMAGE: A poster of Five Fingers for Marseilles which is being screened at Cinema Nouveau at the Rosebank Mall
Photo: Naledi Mashishi
Starring: Taraji P. Henson , Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner
Vuvu Rating: 8/10
A fresh take on the history of African American female professionals who were geniuses in their respective fields of mathematics and engineering, ‘Hidden figures’ does justice to telling the story as happened.
Based on the true story of three African American women who broke barriers at the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), “Hidden Figures” unearths a history that has not formed part of mainstream science history. Set in Virginia, North America, 1961, the movie tells the tales of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson played by the award winning Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe respectively. The women, all mathematicians, were part of the segregated West Computing Group at NASA. They all worked together; until Johnson and Jackson were promoted to positions that often reminded them of the realities of being black and a woman in 1960s America.
Facing racial and gender prejudice from the beginning of the film to the end, the three refused to give up their struggle to prove their worth to all who doubted them. Despite the focus on the lives of these women at NASA, the film is not short of the typical romantic and emotional twists and turns. In a romantic scene between Johnson and her then boyfriend, Mr Johnson, the latter finds himself in a puts his foot in his mouth, when he asks what Katherine does for a living. Explaining her role as a NASA mathematician, Johnson questions condescendingly, “They let women handle that kind of stuff?” Katherine retorts sharply, “Mr Johnson, if I were you, I would quit talking right now … I will have you know, I was the first Negro female student at the West Virginia University Graduate School. On any given day, I analyze the phenomena levels for air, displacement, friction and velocity and compute over ten thousands calculation by cosine, square root √ and lately analytics geometry, by hand. So, yes, they let women do something at NASA, Mr Johnson, and it’s not because we wear skirts but because we wear glasses.”
The minimalistic visuals corresponds with the narrative of the story, there is not much that is technically innovative in terms of the camera angles or lighting changes. However, the actors’ performances are effortless, including that of Kevin Coster, Kirstin Dunst and Kimberly Quinn. This is not unexpected because the film has been nominated for the annual Golden Globes and Academy Awards. It recently won the Outstanding Performance by cast members in motion picture at the Screen Actors Guild awards (SAGs). While receiving the award lead actress Henson said, “This story is of unity and this story is about what happens when we put our differences aside … Love wins.”
‘Hidden Figures’ is definitely a film that will inspire young girls to reach for the stars and beyond. If you happen to have the time to watch the film, one can say that you will be in for an emotional rollercoaster ride.
Societal expectations and experiences can often place pressure on people’s relationships. With Valentine’s Day coming up we have asked individuals questions about their views on certain relationship dynamics especially when it comes to the most anticipated day of the year for some lovers, Valentines Day. Viewers shared their beliefs and Siyanda and Katlego talk about […]
