South Africa Belongs to Us

Shot covertly and smuggled out of South Africa, this portrait of five ordinary black women experiments with a non-conceptual form of documentary - minimal voice-over, direct address to camera, narrative-style establishing shots. This creates a powerful, almost textural feel for the day-to-day existences of women kept permanently separated from their families by the oppressive economy of apartheid and its system of migrant workers, tribal trustlands, and single-sex hostels. But it's also a tribute to the resilience and growing militancy, a source of great strength for the women activists who broke banning orders to participate in the film.