Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.
Click here to find previous episodes of Spotlight with all the movie news you need, and follow the show on Facebook for all the latest news and giveaways.
— Watch all episodes
This week’s edition of Spotlight delves into a Stephen King novel adapted for the big screen, an award-winning South African film pulling back the curtain on the complexities of generational masculinity and the new documentary series Beauty and the Bester.
Lace up your walking shoes and brace yourself for the dystopian horror thriller The Long Walk, which follows the contestants of a gruelling annual walking contest. Touted as the first novel from the pen of The King of Horror, King, though published later, the film is directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games films). The gripping and haunting film on at cinemas features 50 teenage boys in a high-stakes contest: continuously walk or be shot by their military escort.
The South African film The Heart Is a Muscle premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, and walked away with the Best Feature Film honour at this year’s Silwerskerm Film Festival. It tells the story of a father’s search for his missing son and how events ignite a visceral reckoning of generational trauma and masculinity, and how people try their best to carry and handle the legacy of family. With exceptional performances from Keenan Arrison, Loren Loubser and Melissa de Vries, and directed by award-winning writer-director Imran Hamdulay, the film is on at Ster-Kinekor Rosebank Nouveau and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
SA’s own Bonnie and Clyde, Thabo Bester and Dr Nandipha Magudumana, have inspired a three-part documentary series, Beauty and the Bester. The series investigates the scandalous connection between the couple and unveils one of the most shocking prison-break partnerships, the double lives of deception and the fallout that captured headlines around the world. Streaming on Netflix.
For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies.
Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.
Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.
Competition and giveaways
Prepare for an endurance test of the heart, nerves and mind. Answer a question to win a double Ster-Kinekor movie voucher to see The Long Walk.
For full competition details and the question, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by September 17.
Terms and conditions apply.
Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.