Africa in Motion Documentary Competition: Troopship Tragedy

Zwai Mgijima, a young South African man, travels to England to find the shipwreck where 600 of his countrymen drowned during the First World War. The sinking of the Mendi is a tragedy for the progeny of these men in South Africa, as the loss of their bones at sea prevents ancient burial customs from being carried out. Through the quest of Zwai Mgijima for answers and justice, the documentary takes the viewer through the circumstances and history of the tragedy, collecting testimonies of South African and English descendants of the drowned men.

Marion Edmunds | South Africa 2014 | 52m | 15

Africa in Motion Documentary Competition TICKET DEAL: Buy tickets to any two of the documentary competition screenings and get a third one free!

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This screening is part of our newly inaugurated Documentary Competition which aims to encourage and support young and talented African filmmakers. The winner is selected by our jury of acclaimed film practitioners and academics and will be announced after the screenings on the second day. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite film with the Audience Award winner announced on our website at the end of the festival.

Our thanks go to the Scottish Documentary Institute for sponsoring this award.