LESBIAN FILM SNUBBED BY TOP BILLING?
Top Billing, SABC’s television lifestyle show, has been accused of homophobia by snubbing an award-winning local lesbian-themed film because of its gay content.
Mambaonline was told that Tswelopele Productions, the producers of the glitzy show, had cancelled an interview with director Shamim Sarif at the last minute – this despite her film, The World Unseen, recently winning 11 SAFTA awards and earning considerable international acclaim.
According to an e-mail from Top Billing producer Jin Jeon to representatives of Sarif, the provisionally booked interview was cancelled by the show’s executive producer because “the controversial content/synopsis… is not in line with what Top Billing covers.”
The film is set in the 1950’s Apartheid South Africa Indian community and tells the story of the relationship between Miriam, a married woman and mother, and the free-spirited Amina.
Mambaonline contacted the Managing Director of Tswelopele Productions, Patience Stevens, and asked her if the company was homophobic in its decision to can the interview.
Stevens described the accusation as absurd, adding that “Tswelopele Productions probably employs more gay/lesbian people than any other production company in South Africa.”
She did however confirm that the interview had been cancelled because The World Unseen’s content was not seen as suitable for Top Billing’s target audience.
“…it is a family programme, with a family audience. We did consider doing an item on the Shamim Sarif movie, The World Unseen, precisely because of the movie’s success – but – it would be impossible to cover the movie without dealing with the subject matter in a fairly detailed way.”
She added that, “…it could sit better in a programme aimed at an adult only audience.”
Stevens’ argument for not covering the film and its director seems to be based on the notion that homosexual themes are inherently not ‘family-friendly’ and are best relegated to late-night, adult only time-slots. It’s an argument that could be seen as not only homophobic, but possibly in conflict with constitutional values.
Sarif, the film’s director, commented: “It would be wonderful to feel that my characters are judged according to their core human values and their actions, rather than innate characteristics such as colour or sexuality.
“The character of Amina in The World Unseen is a dynamic, charismatic, intelligent woman who happens to be gay. Her values are in no way in conflict with ‘family values’ in the sense that she has great integrity, honour and kindness.”
She told Mambaonline that she was disappointed that the interview was cancelled:
“While I am aware that any TV show is a business that has to cater to its audience, I would ask all companies with influence on the media in South Africa to keep in mind that they hold a powerful position and have the opportunity to encourage openness and dialogue by perhaps pushing the envelope a little now and then,” said Sarif.
In addition to its eleven SAFTAs (including best director for Sarif) The World Unseen has also been awarded “World Cinema Best Director” at the Phoenix International Film Festival, “Official Selection” at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Official Selection” at the 51st BFI London Film Festival, and “Audience Award, Best Feature” at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. It also won a silver medal at the Verzaubert Film Festival.
The World Unseen is scheduled for release in South Africa this Friday 13 February 2009, and stars David Dennis, Colin Moss, Natalie Becker and Lisa Ray.
I wonder what her gay employees think about her decision…
What about those violent movies they regularly feature a la 007 etc…?
Punish them. You know what we should do? We must not ask these people to apologise, but we should get the Qwelanes, and Tswelopele Productions and all these people that claim they are NOT homophobic, to either be a sponsor at Gay Pride this year or make a donation to the Gay Pride organisers, or some gay charity project. Then they will PROVE to us that they are not homophobes.
…… So why doesn’t Patience Stevens be the first and actually deal with the subject matter of the movie? What is she is so afraid of? That some little Christian group will complain, or that their “family audience” will be switched off? Why not discuss the subject openly and honestly instead of hiding it in the shadows and pretend that “it” (homosexuality) is a bad thing.
It’s so easy to hide behind the old excuse of “… it is a family programme with a family audience …”
To me that says she is a coward, and ignorant of her audience whom she seems to believe are not capable of handling the subject of the movie. And does employing gay / lesbian people prove you are not homophobic? That’s the reasoning of a five year old. Proving you are not homophobic comes from having the courage to approach subjects as seen in “The World Unseen” with objectivity, honesty, and equality.
Once again an uproar. When are we going to deal with the prejudice and rampant racism in the gay community. we are quick to target others but blind ourselves to the racism in the south african gay community.
Some are more equal…. It seems that straights are more equal than gays – we should be hidden away late at night – like embarrasing and dirty members of the human family. And our relationships need to be discussed and dissected like something unnatural and bizarre…
TOP BILLING AND SABC. Top Billing and the SABC being homophobic is nothing new. What must be done is that as a gay community we need to make use of the democratic right of the constitution AND INSIST AND LAWFULLY ON seeing movies and programes with 100% gay content. BUT WE MUST BE UNITED
Big deal!. I’m clearly the only one who thinks we are over-reacting. Have any of you watched Top Billing? I don’t think it would be suitable for the program at all. I understand we have come a long way and have a long way to go still.. but this “excuse” they are giving seems viable to me…
I’ve seen it…. Now having seen the film, I can tell you that it’s incredibly tame. Top Billing and the nation’s children have nothing to fear… Has some very moving moments…
Big Deal!. I absolutely agree with you that some people are making a HUGE issue out of nothing. It is a tendency some particular people have to often create “sensation” out of nothing because they lack meaningfulness in their own lives.
Get a life. What an inane comment to make. If any one needs meaning in his life its you. To compromise on one’s beliefs or principles denotes a lack of principles, and despite your inane comment makes for a compromised human experience. People who make valid comments on ‘issues’ as you describe, far from being devoid of such moral apathy, show a moral strength you could only hope to aspire to.
Big Deal!. I absolutely agree with you that some people are making a HUGE issue out of nothing. It is a tendency some particular people have to often create “sensation” out of nothing because they lack meaningfulness in their own lives.
Eish!!. “it is a family programme, with a family audience” Doe this woman have any idea how many gay people watch this show. What about gay families watching the show?
And quite frankly Patience needs to tune in her gaydar a bit, the show it filled gay people.
Homophobic Society. It’s been my experience that the “Straight” society still consider homosexuality as a sexual “perversion” ; that underneath it all we are basically straight, & they feel that this perversion should be relegated to adult viewing only… in line with porn movies etc. Straights don’t seem to understand the concept that we are all human beings. Perhaps it’s because they do not want to look at their own perversions that they must blame us for their sins.
Hopefully the human race will become more enlightened instead of more dogmatic.
Nothing new, its MNET too.. Gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual people do not exist in SA media. Just look at Mnet’s Valentines Promo, not one representation of a same sex couple. The same is true of the SABC. There is not even a small reference, or even a romantic movie for us.
Lip service to a Constitution that is becoming nothing more than a paper tiger. How about a story exposing all of this.
Great Comment. Agree with you 100%
should be cancelled. are there still people out there watching Top Billing. I mean really. Saw an episode recently (by chance – had nothing to do….) – it’s been on air for 15 years i think. same old same old… we need some variety!
i’ve been told that patience is a nut case…. (one of her current gay employees…) so it all makes sense to me. they should wake up. and that goes for the sabc as well.