The 7th edition of the Joburg Film Festival has officially kicked off, cementing its place as a premier stage for powerful storytelling — spotlighting global cinema while championing the rise of South Africa’s homegrown talent.

This year the Joburg Film Festival promises an unforgettable cinematic experience, featuring over 100 films from across the globe. Among the standout selections are two critically acclaimed films from The Ergo Company — Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don't Get Depressed.

The Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don't Get Depressed are two powerful, thought-provoking films that delve into themes of community, social issues, identity, culture, and mental health, offering audiences a deeply resonant and impactful storytelling experience.

Dumi Gumbi, producer of The Ergo Company, said they were thrilled to have not one but two of their films showcased at the Joburg Film Festival.

"We are thrilled to have our films showcased at the Joburg Film Festival, this platform provides an incredible opportunity for our stories to reach a wider audience and spark meaningful conversations.”

The five-time SAFTA award-winning producer added that Old Righteous Blues, adapted from a screenplay by the renowned Carol Shore, follows the journey of a young man who must confront his limitations, face the ghosts of his past, and defy societal constraints to unite a fractured community — ultimately striving to restore his town’s Christmas Choir Band (Kerskoor) to its former glory.

The film was South Africa’s official selection for the 2025 Oscars and also earned a nomination at the Black Reel Film Awards in December 2024. The production provided a groundbreaking opportunity for crew members to take on leadership roles in their respective departments on an international-scale film.

Black People Don't Get Depressed is a poetic and deeply introspective film that delves into the mental health struggles faced by creatives across the African continent and the diaspora. Through powerful storytelling, it challenges myths and stigma surrounding mental health while offering insight into possible solutions.

The film weaves together personal narratives, shedding light on the silent battles many endure while navigating cultural expectations and societal pressures.

The documentary, filmed across South Africa, Zambia, and Canada, marks a significant moment in history where Black voices are increasingly speaking out about mental health, challenging long-standing stigmas and fostering open conversations.

Sara Chitambo-Hatira, the film's director and producer, shared that Black People Don't Get Depressed was a deeply personal journey for her. She revealed that the project was born out of her own painful experiences of neglect and violation, which fuelled her determination to shed light on the realities of mental health within Black communities.

“This film is a personal journey born out of the frustrating and frightening experiences of neglect and violation I experienced, and through the stories of ordinary and well-known people, who share their intimate journeys with managing their mental health issues. Through different and often difficult personal reflections, the film interrogates limited access to mental health services and the destructive ripple effects of neglecting mental health. By telling these stories, we aim to spark essential conversations, challenge societal norms, and inspire meaningful change,” she said.

The documentary Black People Don't Get Depressed has been selected to be featured in the University of Michigan Department of African Studies syllabus for 2025-2027 under the subject "Trauma and Mental Health in Post-Colonial Africa''.

Black People Don't Get Depressed is set to screen at 12:00 PM at Artistry Sandton, while Old Righteous Blues will be showcased at 1:00 PM at Theatre On The Square, Sandton, on March 16.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

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