‘Back of the Moon’ A Love Story to Die For

Cultural hubs of entertainment, music, poetry, arts and enterprise were always the centre of envy under the apartheid government in South Africa and forced removals were the inevitable outcome.

The story of Sophiatown, one of the oldest black suburbs in Johannesburg, is no different.

An epicentre of vibrant characters in the 1940s and 50s, despite poverty and crime, the multi-racial Sophiatown gave birth to South Africa’s most famous writers, musicians, politicians and artists such as Desmond Tutu, Thandi Klaasen, Hugh Masekela and Don Mattera.

Unfortunately in the late 50s, the apartheid regime forcibly removed black families and destroyed the township.

‘Back of the Moon’ tells the unlikely love story of two Sophiatown residents who, as fate would have it, finally meet on one of the last days of the residential area.

It’s 28 July 1958, one day before the police are removing residents of Gerty Street and shipping them off to an isolated township, far from the city centre.

Bra Max, or Badman, the leader of a street gang, The Vipers, is portrayed by South African actor Richard Lukunku. Max, son of a South African father and a Congolese mother, although a gangster, is educated, well versed in literary arts and fluent in French. Not your average gang leader. Although ruthless, he doesn’t tolerate acts of rape, violence and thievery on the residents of Sophiatown, a place dear to his heart.

It’s Friday night, and Max heads to one of his favourite entertainment spots in the area where torch singer Eve Msomi serenades the crowd with her sultry voice. It’s Eve’s last night on this stage before she leaves for London, to start an international career.

On the other side of the town, The Vipers are terrorising patrons of Back of the Moon, a lounge where people from different walks of life could come together and enjoy a drink. The Vipers wreak havoc on the establishment before Max puts a stop to the violence, with blood spilling and lives being lost.

An unlikely occurrence sees Eve end up at Back of the Moon where Max is still contemplating the night and his future.

With her guard up at first, Eve and Max finally break down each other’s walls on a night that would change their lives forever. Sharing stories of their respective childhoods, these two characters engage in an unorthodox intimacy that is seemingly new to both of them, before the night erupts into mayhem.

The characterisation, scene and setting of this film are reminiscent of the Brazilian film ‘City of God’, as this beautiful love tale is brought to life in a graphic nature which might not sit well with audiences.

The balance between the violence depicted and the romance that blooms is effortlessly brought to existence with fine editing and director Angus Gibson’s knack for telling a great story. Lead actress Moneoa Moshesh delivered an astounding performance by making Eve a character that many can relate to.

Even musically, the film pays attention to detail with South African 50s jazz and jive music taking centre stage. “In the end it is a film about potential stifled and wasted by apartheid – men preying on each other in a ‘pressure cooker’ situation. It is about a feisty, talented woman surviving abuse by any means ne-cessary, but ultimately it is the love story that transcends this darkness,” says the director.

South Africa, more often than not, produces quality cinema that transcends boundaries and ultimately puts African film on the map globally. ‘Back of the Moon’ sets this standard even higher as it has a timeless stamp that will entertain for generations to come.

This film is the bitter-sweet tale of a man who finds something, or someone worth living for, on the last day of his life, and will evoke a series of emotions during its running time.

‘Back of the Moon’ is available on Box Office on Dstv.

– jonathan_sasha on Twitter, jonathan.sasha on Instagram

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