Youth Culture, a new documentary shot in the Eastern Cape, will air on SABC 1 from January 25.
Produced by Oneblood Productions, an all-female team of Port Elizabeth filmmakers, the five-part documentary tackles issues faced by young men in townships.
It was initially set to air last June, but was halted by the introduction of the national lockdown in March.
Documentary producer Nomakhomazi Dewavrin said shooting had been delayed by some cast members being infected or affected by Covid-19.
“I think now is a great time to air films because everyone will be home because of level-three lockdown,” she said.
“This gives us a great opportunity to be able to reach the audience.
“Hopefully people will spread the word and let young men know to watch as we discuss issue that matter and that young people haven’t been able to discuss before.”
The documentary will be aired over five weeks.
Dewavrin said the documentary put questions directly to troubled men of various ages and social standing from peri-urban and rural Eastern Cape communities in pursuit of clear answers.
She said the first two instalments of the documentary sought to break the status quo of men being the backbone of the home and society at large.
“Increasingly, communities tremble and quiver as these boys are culturally initiated into manhood.
“We know very well that a large number of them already have court cases to attend, unconfirmed HIV/Aids status, and their addiction to drugs is yet to be addressed.”
She said the film was a platform to have conversations with men about social ills and issues relating to gender-based violence.
“What’s interesting is that these men are not GBV perpetrators but young ordinary men.
“You get to [understand] the pressure they are under and where it could go if nobody takes care of it.”
The show’s first episode will focus on men and money, the second on men and sex, the third on men and fatherhood, the fourth on men and alcohol and the finale on men and spirituality.
Oneblood comprises Dewavrin as producer and director, Okuhle Dyosopu, who manages camera and sound, and production manager and sound assistant Keneilwe Mokoka.
The production company is also working on a biopic of late Port Elizabeth theatre doyen Nomhle Nkonyeni.
“This project started when [Nkonyeni] was still alive,” Dewavrin said.
“I spent a couple of years with her just collecting her memories to build a story about the legend.”
The biopic is still in its writing stage.
Youth Culture will premiere on SABC 1 at 9pm on January 25.
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