It's a proud Father Geek that greets you today with the posting of the 50th Africa-AICN. Doctor SOTHA, Rigobert Song, and Nurse Hollis among others have done a wonderful job with the column. To be honest with you, of all the international columns I oversee for AICN this is the one I felt would never make it this far. Buuuuut it has! Annnnnd with style, humor, and wonderful information on the world's almost invisible motion picture industry... AFRICAN Film. These guys and gals have done a great job of entertaining and informing you, and a real service to cinema lovers the world over... send them E-mails... give them that well deserved pat on the back because they've been busting their collective ass for you... annnnnnd "FREE DOCTOR SOTHA!!!" Let the cry be heard...

Nurse Hollis is putting together a "Care Package" for the good Doctor... some of his patient's most abrasive files, tea & tea, etc... We here at Geek Headquarters are adding a selection of the finest French (subject) videos for him to pass the time; Escape from Devil's Island; The Life of Emile Zola; Assault On Devil's Island; Passage to Marseille; I Escaped Devil's Island; We're No Angels (55); I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island; The Mysterious Mr. Moto; Devil's Island (39); and of course, PAPILLON, and QUILLS. They're purely for his entertainment, naturally. We here at our Austin Headquarters cannot endorse the behavior of the characters in these films.

Now on tooooo...

THE GRAND & GLORIOUS 50th AFRICA-AICN COLUMN

It's a bittersweet moment for DR.SOTHA's Africa-AICN crew today.

Nurse Hollis here, and we're proud to present the 50th Edition of this column via Nice, where DR.SOTHA is still held captive as a prisoner of cine war. Bitter because he can't be with us to enjoy this achievement in the comfort of the wards, but sweet because he says that he has found a way to escape. He was very secretive about this plan, but did say that involved a lizard diversion with an embryonic explosion. Again this column was received through medical morse code. Please send all your best wishes for a safe return of our leader to Head Nurse Hollis and I'll see to it that the Doctor finds out about them.

Hang in there sir, we're all rooting for you.

SOUTH AFRICA

* The Film and Publication Review Board has overturned the decision of the Film and Publication Board to prevent the public distribution of the 1979 exploitation film 'Cannibal Holocaust.' The film which was originally given an "XX" rating by the Board a few weeks ago, will be released on video with an age restriction of 18 and consumer information regarding sex (S) and violence (V). The majority of examiners who were involved in the original classification agreed to an "XX" rating based on extreme images of violent death and mutilation (humans and animals), scenes of explicit sexual penetration and nudity, and scenes of rape of a voyeuristic intent. The committee classified the film "XX" based on Schedule 6 of the Films and Publications Act, which states that "A film shall be classified as XX if, judged within context, it contains scene or scenes, simulated or real, of any of the following:.(4) explicit sexual conduct which degrades a person and which constitutes incitement to cause harm; or (5) the explicit infliction of extreme violence or the explicit effects of extreme violence which constitutes incitement to cause harm". The Review Board hearing, which was presided over by acting Review Board Chairperson Advocate Ronald Lessick, provided an opportunity for the South African distributor of the movie, Global Video, to present an in-depth argument against the "XX" decision.

During the hearing, the distributor's attorney Ms J Nadler-Visser presented several arguments in defence of the film. She argued that both the context and the style of the film divorce it from the everyday reality of most South Africans. She also compared the violent and sexual content of the film to numerous films that are available in the country and have been screened on national television. Ms Nadler-Visser emphasised that the scenes which had been highlighted as problematic by the original classification committee did not "constitute incitement to cause harm". She further argued that these scenes are not particularly degrading in terms of gender. In her concluding remarks, Ms Nadler-Visser referred to "the liberating influence of the Bill of Rights contained in our constitution", arguing that the individual's freedom of choice "extends to the right to choose your entertainment". She urged the Review Board to consider that "selecting a movie is clearly a personal choice and someone who is averse to viewing a film which may contain offensive scenes, will exercise his right not to view such a film". The Review Board felt that the film is clearly a dated, low budget production with poor acting evident throughout and as a result is unlikely to be of mass appeal. The Review Board argued that although there are several disturbing and contentious scenes, these are not graphic in detail, and are mostly fleeting and unclear and therefore do not fall within the parameters of an XX classification.

According to the Review Board the scenes of "violent sexual conduct" were found to be degrading, but not explicit nor graphic in detail. The majority of Review Board members felt that, given the context of the film, these scenes of violent sexual conduct did not constitute incitement to cause harm. It was further felt that the scenes depicting the infliction of extreme violence were neither explicit nor graphic in detail and therefore also did not constitute incitement to cause harm. Lessick acknowledged that this film is not suitable for animal lovers or sensitive viewers (or Jodie Foster - DR.SOTHA)

* Sad new for the exhibition market: Ster-Kinekor Theatres will close approximately 20% of its cinema screens during the next few months. This closure initiative has resulted from static to decreasing cinema attendance and, like the rest of the world, South Africa's cinema industry has found itself to be overscreened. In the USA, 32% of the cinema screen capacity has been closed during the last eight months. In some of the smaller towns (ie Pietersburg; Upington; Kimberley; Pinetown), local businessmen or staff members are negotiating to buy the theatres from Ster-Kinekor. Until market conditions improve, there are no plans for new developments other than already committed rollouts which include Long Beach in the Cape and The Gateway in KwaZulu Natal. Ster-Kinekor cinema complexes affected by the closure initiative at this stage include Cloisters, Sandton; Mabopane; Highgate; Parow, Cape Town; and Westgate, Mitchells Plain.

* I'm putting this up for the sake of formality, try to stay away or scroll the hell down to the next section: DUE TO CONCERNS RAISED BY INDIVIDUALS ON THE RUNNING OF THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION, THE FOUNDATION WISHES TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON ITS OPERATIONS THUS FAR.

The National Film and Video Foundation is firm in its resolve to establish a sound basis for the growth and development of the South African film and video industry. It is common knowledge that our industry despite its more than 100 years of existence has not established itself as an international force and source of national pride. Our film past is riddled with shaky schemes and strategies conceived by coarse thinkers (isn't that like a nice way for saying assholes? - DR.SOTHA) and viewed through crusty lenses.

Trudging through the pages of our cinema history allows us the opportunity to truly appreciate the sheer magnitude of challenge facing the fledgling Foundation. Council is cognizant of the need to learn from the past and draw from the collective wisdom of world experience in reducing the barriers of entry for the smaller independent filmmaker to become actively involved in the business of film and video (Keep talking - DR.SOTHA)

To this end, the Foundation has invested considerable collective energies as council in analysing and participating in research efforts towards a sound strategy for our industry. This type of task, given the chaos and deception of the past, was not easy. Research was unreliable. Self-interest and protective agendas dominated the horizon, and yet the Foundation was expected to achieve consensus. We are rather perplexed by the lack of substantive feedback from industry bodies and wish to re-iterate our call to all serious film organisations to constructively engage us on strategic matters. The Foundation is a statutory body set up by government to broadly promote and develop the film and video industry. Our fundamental aim is to provide an enabling environment for all stakeholders to operate toward the creation of a viable and sustainable film industry. These include co-production treaties; tax incentives for local and international private sector involvement, trade incentives, increased local content quotas, increased support from ministries of Finance, Tourism, Communication and Education.

Given the cost intensive nature of the film making process and abuse of previous film subsidy schemes, a significant imbalance characterizes the local film production and distribution sector. Very few black companies are active, with approximately 130 or so production houses (a total of 150 currently listed) still controlled by white individuals. The challenge faced by the then 'Interim Film Fund' (DACST controlled) and more recently (past year-2000) the Foundation, was to formulate criteria that would mirror both development and commercial imperatives as enshrined in the Act. To this end a comprehensive Funding Criteria Document was formulated by NFVF and circulated to all industry stakeholders. To date we have received only one considered response to the draft. We believe that from a solid foundation true and sustainable progress will be achieved. (There was more, but I'd rather you pass by first methodist and check out the guys with testicular cancer to cure your insomnia - DR.SOTHA)

* The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, in conjunction with Cinema Nouveau Brooklyn in Pretoria will host, as part of the 10th Jubilee of Croatian independence, a film festival containing a fine selection of Croatian animated and feature films. Croatian animated films, and the Zagreb School of Animated Film was, along with many other awards, honoured with the Academy Award for D Vukotic's film, "Ersatz" in 1961. Having its foundations in the rich traditions of the visual arts, caricature and comics; developing its own style, and not dealing with themes typical of animated film, the Zagreb School of Animated Film achieved international reputation as the most prominent representative of modern animated film. Feature film, as an objective of more severe censorship, developed much slower. In the period right before the democratic elections in 1990 and after Croatia achieved its independence, there appeared more pictures which try to summarize political events in Croatia after the war, as well as several pictures about the patriotic war and the difficulties of that time. A significant number of Croatian directors have been exceptionally successful in the field of the documentary film. For more info and screening times contact Cinema Nouveau on (012) 346 3435.

* It's pun time with the South African Box Office: "The Mexican", starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, blitzed its way to the top of the South African box office, with R1 876 777 (about the price of an apple in North America - DR.SOTHA) in takings in its first week. Next up is Exit Wounds, following by Miss Congeniality, Hannibal and The Pledge.

NORTH AFRICA

* Zambian born stunner Thandie Newton is back at work - just seven months after having a baby. The actress started work five months earlier than planned, despite promising herself a year off to look after her child. She is currently in Paris filming "The Truth About Charlie", a re-make of the Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn 1963 thriller "Charade." The former Cambridge University graduate stars opposite Mark Wahlberg in the film, which is directed by Silence Of The Lambs auteur Jonathan Demme. Thandie spends the rest of her time looking after her daughter Ripley, who was born at her London home in September last year.

* Rigobert Song gracing this 50th Edition of Africa-AICN.

Hello readers, I can't quite believe this column has hit 50. It's a landmark I never thought Sotha and I would reach. I'm quite grateful to Sotha and Fathergeek for starting this column almost a year ago. Before that I don't think there was a whiff of African Film on the net. I'm quite honored to be a part of that. I know most readers are more interested in the Hollywood stuff (which is understandable), but to all those that have e-mailed me about African film in the past, I thank you. There's nothing more gratifying than turning a reader onto the wonderful world of African cinema. Hopefully I can continue to convert more of you. I have selected a wonderful music documentary to celebrate our milestone, in the vein of Wender's 'Buena Vista Social Club'. Remember to e-mail me at rigobertsong@hotmail.com if you love African cinema.

YOU, AFRICA! Directed by Ndiouga Moctar Ba In Wolof and French with English subtitles

'You, Africa!' records the path-breaking 1994 tour of nine West African nations by legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. In the process, it offers a fascinating African variation on the familiar superstar "tour" film. Born in the poor Medina district of Dakar in 1959, Youssou N'Dour was singing professionally in local clubs by the age of twelve. Today he is the leading exponent of world fusion pop, blending traditional music with reggae, jazz and rock. He has successfully reunited late 20th century pop forms and techniques with the African sounds and rhythms at the root of so much of this music. As a result, he has influenced musicians as diverse as Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Branford Marsalis and Paul Simon.

His band, Super Etoile, founded in 1979 and now one of the best known in Africa, embodies this unique musical blend in appearance as well as sound. Dressed in boubous and baseball jerseys, they play both traditional drums and electric guitars and dance to hyperkinetic African rhythms mixed with the latest steps from music videos. It is one thing to hear this music in a convention center or auditorium, another to see it performed, as in this film, before enthusiastic young African audiences who live and breath its unique hybrid sensibility. In brief interviews during private moments on the tour, Youssou N'Dour discusses the serious political commitment behind his music. For example, he explains that one song about a crocodile who tries to entice a bird from its tree is meant to symbolize African nations tempted to rely on the West for aid. (It's interesting to compare how this same song is used in Picc Mi.) Youssou N'Dour explains that he undertook the immense organizational challenges of the tour as part of his on-going efforts to bring world-class touring and recording facilities back to Africa. He sees himself as a wommat (Wolof for griot) for an entire generation of young Africans and people around the world, for whom his music expresses a modern, trans-national sensibility still distinct from homogenized, commercial American pop music. If you liked the cultural sensibilities of Wim Wender's 'The Buena Vista Club' you'll absolutely fall in love with 'You Africa!'. It too explores the origins of this musical revolution in tight insightful interviews with the band. It reveals a continent starved of exposure, but brimming with talent, verve and charisma. You owe it to your creative senses to seek this one out.

Here are quotes that share my enthusiasm for this wonderful film: "If any Third World performer has a shot at the sort of universal popularity last enjoyed by Bob Marley, it's Youssou, a singer with a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems locked inside it." "Youssou N'Dour is the one African progressing inexorably toward an uncompromised world pop fusion everybody else only theorizes about." -- Village Voice

* Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson is turning her back on the silver screen to spend a year in Africa. The 42-year-old is to spend the sabbatical undertaking charitable work in the stricken continent, and will travel in a bus with her partner, actor Greg Wise, their baby daughter Gaia and Thompson's mother, actress Phyllida Law. Emma made the announcement at a campaign launch by the charity Actionaid, "It's something I have always wanted to do. I just think we have to go out and do it." A spokeswoman for Actionaid reports, "She could be working on water projects, helping to build a new well, teaching children the basic reading and writing skills or providing agricultural training to farmers." The trip is unlikely to take place until next year, because Thompson is already committed to work on four films (By which time she would have changed her mind - DR.SOTHA)

AFRICAN AMERICAN

* Academy Award-winning director Curtis Hanson has come aboard to helm and produce Imagine Entertainment's feature "Fight Song," starring controversial Grammy-winning rapper Eminem for producer Brian Grazer and Universal Pictures. The project aims to be in production by late summer or early fall. Loosely based on Eminem's life, the story follows a young white rapper growing up in Detroit who struggles to find a unique voice. Through his music he learns to express his anger and frustration as he strives to transcend his bleak circumstances. Director-scribe Scott Silver ("The Mod Squad") wrote the script for the project, which will mark Eminem's feature film acting debut. The film will allow Eminem to platform his music visually in three or four musical sequences. Eminem will write the music with N.W.A. veteran Dr. Dre. (I am perversely drawn to this project - DR.SOTHA)

* Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are in talks to do a sequel to hit movie "Bad Boys." Smith is already about to embark on a follow-up to his sci-fi adventure "Men In Black" but according to Lawrence, as soon as he's finished that film, he and Smith will set to work on Bad Boys II, which is already being written. He says, "We're talking about it now. I just talked to the head of Columbia and she's excited about it. It's just about getting me and Will together at the same time." (Forget about getting Bay back, the dude only does $100m epic sap romances - DR.SOTHA)

* In a pre-emptive bid, Columbia Pictures picked up the romantic comedy spec "The Last First Kiss" from first-time writer Kevin Bisch that Overbrook Entertainment will produce as a potential starring vehicle for Will Smith. "Kiss" is about a New York man who has a secret identity moonlighting as a dating doctor who specializes in priming and planning dates for lovesick men. Despite his talent for handling other people's relationships, he is adrift when it comes to his own love life. When he meets and falls for a New York tabloid journalist, his jaded romantic outlook is challenged, while his secret identity is threatened to be uncovered.

* After her break out role in 'The Bachelor' (you can't be serious?-DR.SOTHA) Mariah Carey allowed a screenwriter to follow her for two years - in order to make her movie debut in "All That Glitters" realistic. The film tells the tale of a singer trying to make it in the music world - a story very similar to Carey's own modest start. But screenwriter Kate Lanier says the film isn't as realistic as Carey's own tale - because people wouldn't find the truth believable. She says, "Her story, you wouldn't believe it if we made it into a movie. We had to come up with something that was more believable." Lanier spent two years shadowing Mariah across the world, from the recording studio to nightclubs. Lanier continues, "She knew she wanted a movie where her character was a singer, but she didn't want it to be sappy. She wanted it to have depth. She wanted a street, gritty feeling, an underdog story." Lanier says she hopes people will be able to understand Carey the superstar better after watching the film. She explains, "A lot of her videos are very stylized, and they don't show the realness of who she is the way her role in this movie will."

* Steven Seagal is getting excited about the release of his first album (the rest of the world is not - DR.SOTHA.) The action star says he's glad he's put his love of music above his movie career (I guess we're glad to, but not for the reason you think - DR.SOTHA). He says, "It's slow. I've been working on this album for a long time but I think it will be ready by July." And Seagal admits having Wyclef Jean as a producer has been fun. He adds, "Wyclef has not been teaching me anything but he's a genius, a great inspiration. We spend a lot of time talking about what we're going to do. The album is world music with some pop. I like music a lot."

* Overseas Filmgroup has snapped up worldwide rights from New York-based GreeneStreet Films to director Griffin Dunne's feature mockumentary "Famous," with plans to roll out the film under the title "Lisa Picard Is Famous." Overseas Filmgroup, the international distribution arm of First Look Media, will handle worldwide licensing on "Famous," while the company's domestic distribution imprint, First Look Pictures, will bow "Famous" theatrically in the United States in August. "Famous" follows the roller-coaster ride of a New York actress poised for stardom, interspersed with appearances by real celebrities exploring the nature of fame, including Sandra Bullock, Carrie Fisher, Melissa Gilbert, Buck Henry, SPIKE LEE, Penelope Ann Miller and Charlie Sheen.

Hope you enjoyed it. Sotha apologizes for the wait in those Cannes reports. He says the guards are pumping him with sedatives, and it makes it difficult for him to concentrate on any one thing for longer than 5 minutes. You Cannes do it Sir.

NURSE HOLLIS GOING DOWN, I MEAN OUT.