Music is the life force of South African Sophiatown-set movie 1960

Just like 1917‘s title spoke to an age dominated by the First World War, 1960 captures a vivid snapshot in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. Instead of focussing on this tragedy, which is now memorialised on Human Rights Day, 1960 takes place in Sophiatown during a time dominated by pass laws and institutionalised segregation in apartheid-era South Africa. Told by way of flashbacks, a retired singer revisits her memories of the time after the remains of a policeman are discovered 60 years after his disappearance. 

This modest historical drama centres on a small community of people whose lives intersect at a local music club. Lively and sincere performances breathe life into the characters, who remain hopeful against the system, just weeks after the Sharpeville massacre made world headlines. Leveraging the unease of race relations and distrust of the police, 1960 captures some of the pent-up frustration as societal pressure translates into protest and music.  

The film stars Zandile Madliwa, Ivy Nkutha, Clyde Berning and Chris Gxalaba (Poppie Nongena, Beast) in pivotal performances. Madliwa has a youthful glow and verve as aspiring singer, Lindi, and Nkutha’s warmth and wisdom add weight to the older retired Lindi. Berning plays a racist cop with a personal vendetta, not unlike the Metropolitan police stand-off in Mangrove from Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series. Gxalaba adds emotional weight as Lindi’s pensive father whose patience with foolish agitators and bent cops is wearing thin. 

While 1960 starts like a murder mystery, it plays out like a historical music drama, capturing the spirit of the times from the vibrant music culture to the political hotbed that was Sophiatown. Shot as if adapted from a photographic exhibition of images from the time, the film has an authenticity from the hairstyles and sets to wardrobe. Instead of sensation, directors Michael Mutombo and King Shaft opt to downplay the look and feel of 1960, leaning into the colour palette associated with with the cultural hub of the 60s. Instead of sweeping cinematography, there’s a more close-knit and on-the-ground visual dynamic as music clubs and homes become the story’s lived currency. 

Music plays a major part of 1960, a passion project for composer Bruce Retief, creating a bit more razzle-dazzle to light up the time with hope. It’s not overblown to the point of losing its charms, gently inviting you into these intimate spaces where music became an escape in all senses of the word. Depicting Lindi’s journey from an unknown to a rising star, 1960 eases us into her world as her music career begins to take off against the odds. Struggling to keep her day job as a cleaner to a deeply prejudiced boss, contending with vicious police officers and trying to squirm away from a pushy loan shark, she commits to her dream to become a singer. Lindi remains determined and resilient, navigating her way to stardom without incurring the fury of her envious competition in Busi and winning over a talent scout. 

While 1960 doesn’t shy away from the challenges and realities of growing up in Sophiatown, it maintains a circumspect view, counterbalancing hardships with nostalgia and the power of music. The multi-faceted historical music drama explores themes relating to race, identity and music’s ability to unify and establish community. 

Coming from Lindi’s fixed perspective, the story whips back to the present day investigation without it becoming the primary focus as a detective tries to figure out just how much Lindi is hiding. From political groups to gangsters, Mutombo and Shaft’s 1960 captures the night life excitement and dangers of Back of the Moon. Taking on the system and contending with pass laws and extreme racial prejudice, there’s also a nod to the social injustices of Poppie Nongena’s world, underscored by the casting of Chris Gxalaba. 

Music is the life force of 1960, energising its authentic visuals and earnest performances from a broad cast. Taking on the frame of an investigation with testimony relayed as a chronicle, it has a curious perspective where you may even question the storyteller’s bias. Immersing itself in the sights and sounds of Sophiatown, this vivid film latches onto powerful themes and the hopes and dreams of a singer wanting to break out against the hardships and setbacks of skin colour and station in apartheid South Africa. 

Watch 1960 now on Showmax.

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