Screening of the documentary film ‘Promised Land’, directed by Yoruba Richen directly followed by a panel discussion aiming to engage the audience in a critical examination of key questions emerging from the film, such as: What is adequate compensation for historical wrongs? And if we choose to look forward, and create conditions where those who were dispossessed can make a new life for themselves - what is the cost, and who must carry it?

The panel discussion, titled ‘Possession is 9/10ths of the law. We say 'It's not yours, it's ours.' The rights and wrongs of land restitution in South Africa’ is convened by PLAAS and will be moderated by Ruth Hall, senior researcher at PLAAS and co-editor of the recent book: 'Land, Memory, Reconstruction, and Justice: Perspectives on Land Restitution in South Africa'.

Panel members include:

• Honourable Chairperson Stone P. Sizani of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Rural Development and Land Reform (to be confirmed)
• Kevin Maxwell, of the Protea Village Communal Property Association
• Yoruba Richen, Director of the film ‘Promised Land’

EVENT DETAILS

Place: Labia on Orange, 68 Orange Street, Gardens in Cape Town
Date: Wednesday 18 August
Time: From 19h15-21h15

THE FILM (19h15-20h10)
Promised Land USA 2010
Historically, socially and personally, land possession is a controversial issue in Africa. Post-colonial nations have struggled with righting the ills of the past without upsetting agricultural security. Focussing on South Africa’s land reform, Richen’s fascinating and balanced documentary sheds new light on this ongoing and always complex issue.

Director Yoruba Richen is a guest of the Festival.

THE DISCUSSION (20h10-21h15)
'Possession is 9/10ths of the law. We say 'It's not yours, it's ours.' The rights and wrongs of land restitution in South Africa’

Picking up where the film leaves off the discussion will address a poignant question emerging from it: what is adequate compensation for historical wrongs? And if we choose to look forward, and create conditions where those who were dispossessed can make a new life for themselves - what is the cost, and who must carry it?

From the rural setting that is the stage in the film, our lens shifts to a case in our immediate environment: the Protea Village land claim. When 86 families won the claim in 2006 to two pieces of land in Cape Town's affluent Bishopscourt and Fernwood a number of Bishopscourt residents went to court to oppose the decision. The court case has continued to drag on, preventing the families, represented by the Protea Village Communal Property Association (CPA), from moving onto their land.

If notions of justice and reconciliation have been framed by the state since 1994, then what is the responsibility of citizens to give effect to these notions?

ENCOUNTERS is the premier Documentary Festival on the African continent and a major event on the film circuit calendar. Documentaries have the power to take audiences into other worlds, hold a mirror up to humanity and lift the veil on our perceptions of ourselves and others.

Doc features are now a global phenomenon and this year filmgoers are offered an exceptional and varied selection of 50 films – many award winning titles, fresh from international festivals, and 8 that will receive their World Premières at ENCOUNTERS.  www.encounters.co.za

Booking Information

TICKET PRICE: R39.00 (R31.00 for bookings of 20 or more tickets)

LABIA ON ORANGE

Tickets are available at both the venue and from Computicket. Buy online at www.computicket.com, or call 083 915 8000, or visit any Computicket outlet at Shoprite / Checkers.

We hope to see you there!
Kind regards,
Obiozo Ukpabi (PLAAS)