About the film
93 mins | Documentary | English Subtitles
Good Hope is a thought-provoking and uplifting feature-length documentary, exploring South Africa’s recent past, present and possible future.
South Africa has a long and complex history. The legacy of colonialism and apartheid hang over it like dark clouds and, despite the avalanche of hope its liberation brought in 1994, there persists a negative narrative about the country that is difficult to shake. This is not helped by the fact that South Africans are statistically the most pessimistic people on earth! Of course the country faces many troubling issues.
Good Hope not only identifies the key problems but also offers the solutions, highlighting the work of the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and thinkers currently grappling with these challenges.
The thirty-six, dynamic South Africans featured in the film include Captain of the Springboks Siya Kolisi, entrepreneurs Lisa Klein (Discovery), Gill Oved (Creative Counsel) and Yusuf Randera Rees (Awethu Project), educationalists Judy Sikuza (Mandela Rhodes Foundation), Jevron Epstein (Generation Schools) and Unathi September (Inspire Foundation), Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng (Head of the Commission for Gender Equality), author and broadcaster Lerato Tshabalala, playwright Mike van Graan, current affairs editors Khadija Patel (Mail & Guardian) and Adriaan Basson (News 24), social commentator Justice Malala, civil society activist Janet Jobson (Deputy CEO of the DGMT), author and activist Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, economist Nic Spaull, former Public Protector, Professor Thuli Madonsela and former Leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mmusi Maimane, to name but a few.
Collectively, they are a colossal source of inspiration - not just for South Africa, but for the world.
We all need hope.
FILMMAKER
Anthony Fabian is an award-winning director of feature films and documentaries. Born in San Francisco, brought up in Mexico City, Paris, and London, he is a graduate of UCLA’s Film & Television School and has been based in London since 1987. Good Hope is his third South African film.
Anthony’s first feature, Skin, tells the moving true story of Sandra Laing – a coloured girl born in 1955 to two, white Afrikaners, unaware of their black ancestry. The film is a fascinating exploration of the entire, legal structure of the apartheid system.
His second theatrical feature, Louder Than Words, stars David Duchovny, Hope Davis and Timothy Hutton, and was released in August 2014. Shot in Connecticut, the film is based on a true story about a family who turn a tragic loss into a force for good.
In 2011, Anthony shot an eight-part documentary series for Sky Arts HD called British Legends of Stage and Screen, starring Sir Derek Jacobi, Claire Bloom, Sir Christopher Lee, Dame Diana Rigg, Michael York, Glenda Jackson, Sir Michael Gambon and Sir Ian McKellen.
His first documentary, Township Opera, (2001) features emerging talent from South Africa. It was the first programme to be transmitted solo on BBC 4 and was shortlisted for a One World Media Award. His second hour-long documentary for BBC 4, Harmony in Hanoi, is a fresh look at contemporary Vietnam through the eyes of its musicians. It premiered at BAFTA and was broadcast in March 2003. In the summer of 2004, Anthony Fabian produced and directed a documentary, While the Music Lasts, about Batignano, a quirky festival in southern Tuscany, which has launched the careers of some of the most successful British artists working in opera today.
Anthony’s film career has led to work as Music Supervisor on a number of feature films, including Restoration, Goldeneye, Schubert and Hilary and Jackie.
His filmography includes profiles of performers Luciano Pavarotti, Cecilia Bartoli, Joshua Bell, Angela Gheorghiu, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Renée Fleming, Christophe Rousset, Olli Mustonen, Richard Egarr, and composer John Tavener.
He also made a series of promotional films for VisitBritain, the UK government’s Tourist Board, starring Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Luke Evans, Matt Smith, Twiggy, Boris Becker, Lennox Lewis, Colin Montgomery and Jamie Oliver.
His next feature film is an adaptation of Paul Gallico’s much-loved novella, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, due to start production in late 2020.
GALLERY
COMMENTS
“What an amazing film. I congratulate you, especially with such a complex and vexatious subject to sort through. I am so knocked out by the articulacy and optimism of your principal contributors, by their style and pizzaz”
“Thank you for your beautiful work and for your passion for human beings and their rights . I had goose bumps through most of film. You really know how to touch your audience.”
Good Hope is fascinating, important and impressive. South Africa is in such a unique position in its history and if they achieve the changes they are on the brink of, the whole world could learn from them and the good hope could spread. I have learnt a lot and been allowed to listen to a wonderful mixture of articulate voices and I do feel hope. PLEASE SHOW IT TO CYRIL RAMAPHOSA!!! It will give him courage. You have done a great thing and I hope it is widely seen.
It’s amazing! You said your aim was to make people feel less negative – but you have succeeded in inspiring us.
A good film needs to tell me something I don’t know and must also touch my heart. Your film scored on both points. I found it very well balanced and broaching all core issues. There were some hair-raising moments, great humour and you cover some very controversial topics. I believe this is a very current documentary that should be exposed globally and most especially nationally in the next few years. Every South African citizen should see it. Your film could serve as the tipping point SA needs for the good forces to overcome the bad ones and ensure the country follows the right path. The power of cinema should never be underestimated.
Congratulations on the amazing documentary ‘Good Hope’ I was fully absorbed for the whole 90 minutes and it is a message that deserves promoting.
Watch the GOOD HOPE documentary.
RENT R29 ($1.50) for 24 hours or BUY R79 ($4.50)
and stream to any device whenever, wherever.
Not suitable for people under 13; language, violence
and scenes or language prejudiced with regard to
race, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation.