Manenberg is is a poignant, closely observed film about coming of age in difficult and deprived surroundings, about families and conflicts, about everyday life and dreams of the future.

A suburb outside Cape Town, Manenberg was built under the apartheid regime to house mixed race families on low incomes. Today it is a ghetto, worn-down and overpopulated, with enormous social problems. The odds of becoming a gangster outweigh the chances of creating something new in the ruins of the past. But it is also a place with strong ties between the inhabitants of the claustrophobic houses.

Based on five years of anthropological research in the area, the film invites the audience to look behind the headlines and share the feelings and motivations of Warren, Fazline and their families. The slow camera beautifully captures expressions on their faces that tell as much about themselves and their situation as any words.

Presented in partnership with the Royal Anthropological Institute Film Festival. Introduced by Ingrid Sinclair.

Followed by a panel discussion on Observational Documentary with Freya Billington (Filmmaking Programme Leader at UWE), and Alastair Cole (Director Colours of the Alphabet).

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