Man on Ground

On Tuesday, 2 July 2013, Joule City held a screening of Akin Omotoso's latest film Man on Ground. Released by TOM Pictures in 2012 to critical and commercial acclaim, the film follows London based, Nigerian banker Ade (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) through Johannesburg as he searches for the truth about his missing brother Femi (Fabian Adeoye Lojebe). Inspired by the xenophobic attacks that shook South Africa and the world in 2008, and particularly the image of Ernesto Nhamuave, who's burning body came to symbolise the horror of the events, the story takes place over the course of one day and night as an intricate tale of deceit, betrayal and love is told.

Man on Ground Poster via NVFF

A midst the plethora of art and dialogue that has been documented as a response to the attacks, the film emerges in its own realm, instead of bombarding us with images of brutality and pain that have been depicted before in many different ways, the film appeals to our humanity through the love story between Femi and Zodwa, and the brotherly conflict that exists between Ade and Femi. Using the motifs of fire and shadows, we are constantly aware of the pain, the suffering, the violence and flames of fury that form the backdrop of the story, we don't need to see it, we feel it, which is difficult but Omotoso achieved managed to achieve this superbly.

The use of montage in the film proved disadvantageous, it gives a static feel to the film and disengages at times but overall, the film was beautifully made, the story incredibly told and more than anything, it's wonderful to see Africans telling their own stories in their own way.

In addition to Kae-Kazim and Adeoye Lejebe, Fana Mokoena, Bubu Mazibuko and Makhoala Ndebele all give stellar performances as well as new comer Thishiwe Ziqubu who plays Zodwa, Femi's love interest.

The making of the film is interesting within itself. A project that was four years in the making, from concept and research phase to final production, it almost didn't get made due to budgetary constraints. A conscious choice was made to go with crowd funding, to reflect the ethos of collaborative work but when a major funder dropped out when the film was already in production, Chris Don Productions came on board and the film was completed.

The film has received numerous awards and has shown at a number of prestigious festivals including the Toronto Film Festival. However, given the content of the film, it would be interesting to see how it is received by the communities that were most affected by the xenophobic attacks and how this film can contribute towards a dialogue that to this day, needs to take place.

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