The Swenkas
Duration: 01:12:00 The Swenkas are Zulu men who are entertainingly profiled in this inventive and beautifully understated documentary. Every Saturday night, a group of laborers from Johannesburg transform themselves into the best-dressed men in South Africa. They take great pride in putting on flash...
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| Institution: | Open Society Archives at Central European University |
| Language: | Zulu |
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Thorsen, Rasmus ; Diemer, Anne
2004
South Africa |
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10891/osa:5a9c39f0-daea-40b9-a584-43e14292c8aa |
| Summary: | Duration: 01:12:00
The Swenkas are Zulu men who are entertainingly profiled in this inventive and beautifully understated documentary. Every Saturday night, a group of laborers from Johannesburg transform themselves into the best-dressed men in South Africa. They take great pride in putting on flashy suits and stand out as an inspiration for others, leaving their grimy overalls behind and wearing their best Carducci or Pierre Cardin creations to impress the weekly selected judge with sultry steps and graceful arm gestures. They are a close-knit set of men who consider respect, tidiness and virtue of paramount importance. The film follows an elder known as 'Mr Dangerous' who takes a young man, Sabelo, under his wing. Sabelo's father, once a leading Swenka, has recently died and the emotional support he receives demonstrates a phenomenon which runs much deeper than an unusual fashion show. Their tale is told by an elderly Zulu man, who builds his fictitious story around real characters. |
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| Published: | 2004 |