WILD TALK AFRICA SHOWCASES AT DIFF

Wild Talk Africa showcases the best of environmental and wildlife films at the Durban International Film Festival.

For the second year running, Durban Wild Talk Africa will showcase a selection of both local and international natural history films during nine slots at this year’s 35th Durban International Film Festival which runs from July 17 to 27, 2014.

Durban Wild Talk Africa Film Festival, now in its 9th year, brings a world-class television market and natural history conference to South Africa every two years. After the success of last year’s conference at DIFF, Durban Wild Talk Africa will again present a programme of nature films that are fast becoming a firm favourite in the festival’s diverse line up. This year, the strand once again offers entertaining and enlightening viewing for nature enthusiasts, animal-lovers, adrenalin junkies and environmentalists alike.

Some not-to-be-missed films include:

Unearthed – a shocking insight into the world of hydraulic fracking through the journey of a young South African journalist who starts asking questions when the fracking industry arrives in her hometown in the Karoo. Her questions take her into the dark underbelly of America’s gas industry.

Black Mamba: Kiss of Death - Spend an hour in the life of the most feared snake in Africa, witnessing the most intimate moments of its life and predatory attacks here in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Birdman Chronicles - Launch into the adrenalin-charged world of wingsuit flying; revealing the beautiful freedom found in this sport, as well as the constant presence of potential tragedy.

DamNation - With over 75,000 dams built in America after the Great Depression; this epic documentary odyssey explores the changing opinions towards dams, and witnesses the extent that some will go to answer the question, “Why have we damned up our rivers?’

Expedition to the End of the World - On a three-mast schooner packed with artists, scientists and ambitions worthy of Noah or Columbus, we set off for the end of the world: the rapidly melting massifs of North-East Greenland.

Other films in this strand include the award-winning Iranian astronaut-inspired Sepideh, Liz Marshall’s photographic revelation into the commodification of animals in The Ghosts in our Machines, an artistic voyage into water in Watermark and the world premiere of Lady Baboon- chronicling the life of a woman who singlehandedly started the controversial baboon conservation movement in South Africa and who is often described as “the unknown Jane Goodall”.

The partnership between Durban Wild Talk Africa and Durban International Film Festival is part of the City of Durban’s vision to position the city as Africa’s primary destination for film markets and festivals.

For more information on the Wild Talk Festival contact shani@wildtalkafrica.com or call 021 422 0023, or visit www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for screening information and updates.

The 35th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Cheryl Potgieter) with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.