7 September 2018
SA classics to stream on Showmax this month
This September, Showmax is bringing you an award-winning lineup of local favourites, from a hit horror film that’s up for eight Africa Movie Academy Awards next month, to a multi-award-winning short film that’s in the running for the Oscars next year, to two of South Africa’s favourite soap operas and telenovelas express from Mzansi Magic. Here are the highlights to add to your Watchlist straight away…
Siembamba (The Lullaby)
Premise: Chloe thought her depression was caused by her child’s birth. Then she starts to suspect that an evil entity is haunting them, but nobody believes her…
Why you should watch: Postpartum depression is terrifying already, even before you add in evil spirits. The horror movie was released in over 150 cinemas in the USA – rare for an SA film – and has an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Accolades: Siembamba is nominated for eight Africa Movie Academy Awards in October, including Best Film, Best Director (Darrell Roodt) and Best Actress (Reine Swart). It was also nominated for two SAFTAs. Watch now »
The Hangman
Premise: Khetha (Thato DH Dhladla) is a black prison warder guarding black inmates in Pretoria Central Prison’s gallows near the end of Apartheid. His job is further complicated when his estranged father (Khulu Skenjana) is transferred to Death Row.
Why you should watch: 1. It’s in the running for the Oscars in 2019, having won Best Foreign Film at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts. 2. Director Zwelethu Radebe is a talent to watch and a Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African selection for 2018.
Accolades: The Hangman’s awards tally is already in double digits, and includes Best South African Short Film at the Durban, Jozi and Shnit film festivals, and Best African Short Film at Zanzibar International Film Festival, among other accolades. Watch now »
The Queen S3, express
Premise: Connie Ferguson is back for a third season in her career-defining role as trophy-wife-turned-matriarch-and-drug-lord Harriet Khoza, one of South Africa’s most loved villains.
Why you should watch: Connie and Shona Ferguson. Rami Chuene. Themba Ndaba. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube. Thembsie Matu. Just don’t get too attached; you can never be sure who the show will kill off next…
Accolades: Thembsie Matu and Rami Chuene are competing against each other to be named South Africa’s favourite actress at this year’s DStv Viewers Choice Awards. The Queen was also nominated for three 2018 SAFTAs. Watch now »
Isithembiso S2, express
Premise: After matric, Simi and Zamani leave their families behind to pursue a better life in Johannesburg, where a heist is about to go badly wrong…
Why you should watch: It’s made by Bomb, the production company behind Yizo Yizo, Isibaya and many more of your favourite TV shows.
Accolades: Hamilton Dlamini won Best Actor – TV Soap / Telenovela for his role as Banzi ‘The Wolf of Braamfontein’ Kunene at this year’s SAFTAs, where the series was up for four awards, including Best Telenovela. Londeka Mchunu won Best Newcomer Actress at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards. Watch now »
Die Boekklub S2 (due 17 September)
Premise: In season one, Cape Town hipster Tom (Armand Aucamp) inherited a guest house in the Karoo – and a book club. Season two finds him now running the guest house alongside Sofia (June van Merch) – and yes, they’re still fighting every day…
Why you should watch: Die Boekklub is a quirky gem and one of the most acclaimed Afrikaans dramedies of recent years.
Accolades: Jana Cilliers has won the SAFTA for Best Supporting Actress two years in a row. Louis Pretorius won Best TV Drama Script in 2017. Watch now »
Hotel S2 (due 10 September)
https://youtu.be/FyByn2pZG0
Premise: An Afrikaans mockumentary about a middle-aged hotel manager, Ferdie Kruger (James Borthwick), struggling to keep the doors of his Mpumalanga hotel open.
Why you should watch: Schalk Bezuidenhout is hilarious. As always.
Accolades: Schalk Bezuidenhout won the 2018 SAFTA for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Season one won Best Comedy Script at the 2017 SAFTAs. Watch now »
Other African-linked highlights coming to Showmax in September include:
- Phil 101, a 2018 SAFTA-nominated sitcom set in a philosophy department, starring Bennie Fourie, Philippus Boshoff, and Frank Opperman
- Kokkedoortjie, a SAFTA-nominated cooking show for children between the ages of 9 and 13, due 20 September
- Season two of the charming animated series Zafari, about a zoo of unique creatures near Mount Kilimanjaro, due 24 September
Original African stories by local talent
Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S2 now, with new episodes weekly.
Made in South Africa
The Hot Seat S1
The Hot Seat promises bold banter as some of Kenya’s biggest celebrities face the heat. Stream now, with new episodes weekly.
Made in Kenya
Nairobi Bachelor S1
Nairobi Bachelor follows the journey of young bachelors and singletons on a quest to find their perfect match. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Kenya
Spooksoeker S1
When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in South Africa
4Play
4Play follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in Kenya
Die Tollie & Manila Show
A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
Made in South Africa
The Station Strangler
The Station Strangler is a true-crime documentary investigating the serial killer who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats. Now available to stream.
Made in South Africa
Black & Blue S1
Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, now streaming, with new episode every Wednesday.
Made in KenyaThe Hot Seat, now streaming
Nairobi Bachelor, now on Showmax
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