Father Geek here with SOTHA and company with this week's Africa-AICN column. The good doctor's server seems to have caught the same bug that hit AICN's home office a couple of weeks ago... buuuuuut he pulled through and filed his report with only a short delay... I know you've been waiting for this , sooooo with no further delay here's Doctor SOTHA...

A combination of "we're updating your server sir" (for 10hours!) and Cannes
Film Festival preparations has conspired to delay Africa-AICN by a day, and
for that my sincerest apologies.

DR.SOTHA put out a plea for accommodation
in last weeks column, but despite an enticing offer from a French Nurse (who
was pissed that her serum for mortality was plagiarized in 'Death Becomes
Her') no takers. Turns out the French Nurse is like 212 years old, and that
just doesn't cut it with me (serum or no serum.) But just when I thought I
had exhausted all my options, Fathergeek pulls off a rescue mission, and now
I'm lodging with AICN Headquarters in Cannes. I can't wait to show Harry my
'Flexi-Bone theory' (although only used in the South African Military, it
uses strands of goat chin hair inserted into human fiber to create a
completely versatile human being who can literally fit through crevices,
door ajars, and underground pipes.) I'm thinking high profile/guests only
screenings will now become futile with this procedure.

If you're at Cannes send me your contact details with full medical history
to africaaicn@hotmail.com and we can hook up.

SOUTH AFRICA

* Listed niche financial service company Magnum Global Funds SA (to be known
under its new name, MGF Capital) has included a new film fund in excess of
R350 million (ABOUT $70M) in its portfolio which is aimed at boosting the
South African film industry. MGF Capital announced the launch of the CHIS
Trade Fund and the Story Factory Film Fund (SF3) on Monday, 30 April.
According to CEO Carla Fiford there is a demand for this kind of alternative
offshore investment. SF3 is an international co-production fund aimed at
kickstarting SA films for international release. It aims to produce a total
of 15 international films in SA in the next five years. (I can't tell you
how much this news means to me, in fact I'm going to go out right now and
rent the 'Gods Must Be Crazy' and dream of South African films reaching
across the globe - DR.SOTHA) Leon Rautenbach, formerly head of M-Net's
production division and producer David Selvan own The Story Factory and SF3
will operate under them. The financial managers of the fund are MGF Capital
and Letsema Investments. SF3 have received a commitment of R115 million from
the Industrial Development Corporation and will raise a further R330 million
from investors. SF3 will be producing international films in SA in
partnership with Atlantis of Canada (Cider House Rules, Topsy-Turvy, The Red
Violin, Crash and Mephisto) who have worked in the country on a number of
projects. According to Magnum executive director James Scott, talks were
under way to raise funds from local investors based on a minimum level of R5
million. The fund expected a 22% after-tax return over seven years.

* I hate to be the bearer of sad news but South African producer, Hanneke
Pieterse of Chip Productions, was killed on impact in a car crash on the
South Coast on Thursday, 26 April. A highly respected producer with some 20
years in the industry, Hanneke Pieterse won five Artes Awards for the
television series Kelebone, as well as producing the first series of Soul
City and the entire Bonnie's Best Buys series. She is survived by her
husband, producer Philo Pieterse and children Marcus and Nicole, and will be
sorely missed by everyone in the industry.

* Film director Lord Richard Attenborough has been honored for his
contribution to the fight against racism at the star-studded Emma Awards.
The Bt Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards (Emmas), held at London's Grosvenor
House Hotel, celebrate the efforts of people in the media who promote
cultural awareness. Lord Attenborough, formerly Richard Attenborough, was
given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his anti-racism campaigning which
included his 1987 film "Cry Freedom", which brought the horrors of apartheid
in South Africa to the world's attention. He also directed the 1982 classic
"Gandhi", starring Ben Kingsley. The event was hosted by comedians Richard
Blackwood and Nina Wadia, who were both up for awards. Comedy show "Goodness
Gracious Me", in which Wadia appears, picked up Best TV Entertainment
production. Another of its stars, author and comedian Meera Syal, walked
away with media personality of the year. Craig David, who controversially
missed out on a Brit Award earlier this year , scooped the Best Music Act.
In the public figure section, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
won public figure of the year while best sporting personality was awarded to
tennis ace Venus Williams. The acting world had a clutch of awards dedicated
to it with Ally McBeal star Lucy Liu winning Best TV Actress and Michelle
Yeoh gaining Best Film Actress for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The
awards for the men went to Eddie Murphy for Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps
and Felix Dexter for "The Prince Of Dalston."

* The Drinks Are On Jay Chat show host Jay Leno is seeking to loosen up his
Hollywood movie star guests by getting them drunk before the program begins.
Leno, who hosts the 'The Tonight Show' With Jay Leno, first suggested last
November that his show should have alcohol available backstage - especially
for female guests who, producers felt, opened up a bit more when they'd had
a drink. During an appearance in February, South African actress Charlize
Theron complimented the show's margaritas and was then brought one onstage.
And with critics often complaining that the Tonight Show's celebrity
interviews are stiff and overly prepared, bosses on the show decided it was
time to open the bar before every episode. According to The New York Post, a
Tonight Show source says, "Spontaneity is something we're always trying to
achieve and never able to. So maybe this does fuel a little spontaneity."
Another adds, "We've always provided a [cocktail] if a guest asked for one.
Although this might be a little different." (Charlize Theron big drinker?
Hey I'm not complaining - DR.SOTHA)

* Temperamental model Naomi Campbell doesn't believe in engagements. The
self-confessed drug addict wore a huge oval diamond ring with her
see-through lace trousers and sequined "Like a Virgin" blouse on Monday
night (what's the big deal we all wear shit like that when we go for a night
on the town - DR.SOTHA.) The sparkler was on her left pinkie because she had
on elbow- length gloves, and it wouldn't fit on her ring finger. Campbell,
who was given the "Christmas gift" by her Italian boyfriend Flavio Briatore,
is cutting back on modelling to devote herself to raising money for the
foundation of Nelson Mandela, who "adopted" her as his daughter (Wise move
Mr. Mandela - DR.SOTHA.)

* The South African co-produced short film, "Land of Milk & Honey", will be
screened at the Los Angeles International Radical Political Film Festival
during May. The film was co-produced in 1998 by New York producer/director
Diane Best and South African director/cameraman David Forbes. "Land of Milk
& Honey" has attracted wide interest internationally, and locally from SABC
3's magazine Special Assignment. The 13-minute DVCam film explores the
dangerous and violent underbelly of hijackers and the corrupt network of
police and underworld figures that support the hijacking industry, and its
international links to guns and drugs.

* The organisers of the Soweto Film Festival (The Annual Soweto Arts &
Culture Festival in conjunction with the Film Resource Unit) are hosting the
second annual event from 23 to 26 May. Recognising that no single entity can
assume the responsibility of audience development but through a critical
mass of the industry, the organisers would like to invite other
organisations to participate at the main event as well as side-bars. Among
the objectives of the festival are cultivating a cinema-going culture in
peri-urban South Africa; promoting African film and filmmakers; stimulating
debate on key African issues through film; and developing the film sector
into a viable industry that can meaningfully contribute to the mainstream
economy. Interested parties should contact project co-ordinator Thelma
Machogo - email:
thelma@iafrica.com.

* Big World Cinema, UFFO, the Pro Helvetia Liaison Office South Africa, the
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands and e.tv invite First Time producers /
directors to take part in the Third Close Encounters Documentary Laboratory
to be held in Cape Town from 22 to 28 July. Applicants are asked to submit
an original proposal for a half-hour documentary and successful candidates
will be chosen on the basis of these original proposals. A maximum of 12
candidates will be selected. e.tv will commission a number of the
documentaries presented at the final pitching session. The deadline for
submissions is 8 June 2001. Entry can be downloaded from
www.bigworld.co.za/encounters.

NORTH AFRICA

* 'It's that wonderful time of the year' - The following African Films will
be screened at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival to be held in France from 9
to 20 May: "Hijack Stories" (Oliver Schmitz, South Africa): Un certain
regard. Director's Fortnight: "Fatma", first film of Khaled Ghorbal
(Tunisia) + "Bintou", short of Regina Fanto Nacro (Burkina Faso, prize
winner Fespaco). Cannes Junior: "Battu", Cheick Oumar Sissoko (Mali), "Les
Siestes Grenadines", Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud (Tunisia), "Sia, le rêve du
python", Dani Kouyaté (Burkina Faso) and the short Premier "Noël", Kamel
Chérif (Tunisia). The film of the "Iraner Abbas Kiarostami" shot in Africa,
ABC Africa, will be screened out of competition at the Palais des Festivals.
(I'll be there to run the rule over the African potential - DR.SOTHA)

* Jeff Koinange has been appointed CNN Lagos Bureau Chief. A native of
Kenya, Koinange leaves Reuters to take up this new post in June. He comes to
CNN as the News Group's first Lagos bureau chief and correspondent. Prior to
serving as Reuters TV's Johannesburg-based chief producer in southern
Africa, he was responsible for Reuters' western Africa coverage and also was
a correspondent and producer for Reuters' African Journal TV programme. He
has also worked for NBC News, ABC News, and the New York-based Medical News
Network. The new Lagos bureau complements CNN's existing bureaux on the
African continent, in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Cairo, and provides CNN for
the first time with a strategic presence in West Africa. The addition of
Lagos brings CNN's total bureau network to 42.

* A quickie from Rigobert Song:

Hello readers, only a quick mini-review this week, as lectures are at break
neck speed this week. Remember to e-mail me at rigobertsong@hotmail.com to
talk about African film.

LA VIE EST BELLE (Life is Rosy) Directed by Ngangura Mweze, Zaire/Belgium,
In French with English subtitles 85 minutes

"La Vie est Belle" takes us inside the vibrant music scene of Kinshasha,
Zaire's exhilarating and exasperating capital whose back alleys and clubs
pulsate to the beat of some of the most influential music in the world. The
film, starring World Beat music legend, Papa Wemba, tells the "rags to
riches" story of a poor country musician who seeks fame in the city's
vibrant music industry. This lively farce illustrates Zairians' faith in
Systeme-D or debrouillardise, fending for yourself to survive in the face of
overwhelming obstacles. If there is a commercial cinema in Africa's future,
then La Vie est Belle may be one of its precursors. The reason I put this
up, is because I read a wonderful article on Baz Luhrmann's 'Moulon Rouge',
and I sensed many thematic and dramatic comparison to this particular film.
They're both about an aspiring artist who gains entry to the monolith of a
cultural community. It weaves in and out of this exhillerating and decadent
world, as the artist comes to terms with populism and unrequited love. I
can't wait to see both films in a powerful double bill. Here's some excerpts
to get your juices flowing: "A genial musical offering and insightful look
at Zaire." -- New York Times -- "Joyful entertainment!...Papa Wemba has the
appeal of a young Harry Belafonte."-- Variety -- "Like Black Orpheus, La Vie
Est Belle is a fairy tale embellished by joyous music and phantasmagorical
images" -- Village Voice

AFRICAN AMERICAN

* James Woods has been tapped to replace Marlon Brando in Dimension Films'
"Scary Movie 2" after Brando exited a cameo role in the horror-spoof sequel
last month, citing health and availability issues. Woods will now step into
the role of a priest performing an exorcism, which will open "Scary 2." He
joins an ensemble cast that includes Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Tori Spelling,
Kathleen Robertson, Andy Richter, Christopher Masterson, Chris Elliott, Tim
Curry, David Cross, Natasha Lyonne and Richard Moll. "Scary 2" satirizes
supernatural horror fare such as "The Exorcist" and "Stigmata." The film has
been shooting since Feb. 13, with Dimension planning a July 4 bow. (I guess
the rumor about Woods wielding a cross around LA are true - DR.SOTHA)

* Heath Ledger is in final negotiations to star in Lions Gate Films'
"Monster's Ball" for director Marc Forster. Bentley dropped out of the
project for undisclosed reasons. The two actors recently worked together on
Paramount Pictures/Miramax Films' "Four Feathers." Rapper Mos Def
("Bamboozled") also has been added to the cast, which includes Billy Bob
Thornton and Halle Berry. The project begins shooting May 24 in Louisiana.
"Monster's," written by Milo Addica and Will Rokos, centers on Hank
(Thornton), who lives with his aging racist father, Buck, and his
twentysomething son, Sonny (Ledger). Hank and Sonny work for the local
prison, where they are preparing the electric chair for a black inmate. Hank
winds up falling in love with the inmate's widow, Leticia (Berry), who is
unaware that Hank knew her husband.

* Rapper-actors Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have signed to topline Lions Gate
Films' "The Wash" for director D.J. Pooh ("3 Strikes"), with production
slated to begin Monday. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg also will executive produce
the project and contribute to the "Wash" soundtrack to be released in a
joint effort between their respective Aftermath and Doggie Style labels.
Lions Gate is planning a theatrical release for "Wash" in the winter. Penned
by Pooh, "Wash" is set against the backdrop of a busy car wash, featuring
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg as employees and mismatched roommates.

* Rapper-actor Busta Rhymes ("Finding Forrester"), Tyra Banks ("Coyote
Ugly") and Sean Patrick Thomas ("Save the Last Dance") will star in
"Halloween 8" for Dimension Films. The roughly $15 million-budgeted project
is scheduled to begin production May 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia, for
three weeks with "Halloween II" helmer Rick Rosenthal returning to direct
the franchise. To coincide with Halloween, Dimension is eyeing a fall bow
for the horror film. Written by Larry Brand, the eighth installment of the
"Halloween" series follows a group of teens who return to legendary serial
murderer Michael Myers' home to launch a live Internet chat, which sparks
another killing spree by Myers.

* Phoenix Pictures has paid an undisclosed amount for the big-screen rights
to author Donald E. Westlake's just-published novel "Bad News," with
Oscar-winning filmmaker Milos Forman in talks to direct. Although no deal is
yet in place for Forman, the project would reteam the filmmaker with
Phoenix, who produced the helmer's critically acclaimed 1996 feature "The
People vs. Larry Flynt." No writer is on board to adapt "Bad News," which
features the same lead character, Dort Munder, as the author's "What's the
Worst That Could Happen?" That novel was turned into a forthcoming MGM/UA
film of the same name starring Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito. "News" is a
comedy caper about a group of small-time crooks in New York who scheme to
take over an Indian gambling casino.

* Former Edmonds Entertainment creative executive Camille Irons and producer
H. M. Coakley have launched the Los Angeles-based independent production
shingle Rockstone Pictures with the aim of producing features by filmmakers
of color. Rockstone is being bankrolled by private investors in Los Angeles,
New York and Baltimore who have put up low-six figures to fund the startup,
which has offices in Beverly Hills. The outfit has optioned several scripts
and pitches from a stable of newcomers: the pitch "Holla ... If You Hear Me
Scream!" being written by Byron Taylor; "The Western," a spaghetti western
spoof script by Daniel Zak; the romantic comedy script "Love Is a 4-Letter
Word," written by Sonya Warfield; the dramas "The Writer's Guide," written
by Jonathan Brown, and "When Love Calls," written by Reserve Lowery; and
"Mario and Harriett," an animated Romeo and Juliet story set under the sea,
written by Henry Southern and based on an idea by Irons and Coakley.

* In pre-emptive bid, Bill Mechanic's Pandemonium has paid low-six figures
for the comedy pitch "Mountain Men" from writers Bradley Allenstein, Robert
Henny and Ralph Green, with music video and commercial director Paul Hunter
attached to helm. The writing trio will pen the script -- from an idea they
developed with Hunter - about three feuding brothers from Harlem, N.Y., who
find a treasure map in their grandmother's attic and must find the goods
before her home is taken over by the Internal Revenue Service. Hunter
recently directed the music video "Lady Marmalade" performed by Christina
Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Maya and Pink for the soundtrack to 20th Century Fox's
upcoming feature "Moulin Rouge," which opens the Cannes International Film
Festival (which the esteemed DR.SOTHA will be attending) next month and will
screen In Competition. Hunter also directed a commercial for Nike featuring
NBA players dribbling on a court reminiscent of the performance show
"Stomp." He is attached to make his feature directorial debut with New Line
Cinema's "Westward."

* According to a study by the organization Children Now, the so-called
Family Hour between 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., contains the least racially
diverse casts in all of primetime TV. Minorities are included in these shows
only to provide "a service, a piece of information or a punch line," the
study said. It found that only 13 percent of network fare during the hour
featured a mixed cast, versus 67 percent during the 10:00 p.m. hour. The
study also found that men outnumbered women on programs during the 8:00 hour
by more than 2-1 and that the female characters on them tended to be
"beautiful, young, thin and white." (Welcome to the wonderful world of
discrimination - DR.SOTHA)

That's that. A few days to Cannes, can you feel it, can you feel it, can
you..(okay you get it.)

DR.SOTHA REVO & OUT