here - Centre for Creative Arts - University of KwaZulu-Natal

themes AND FOCUS AREASAmerican IndependentsWhile mainstream American cinema is often derided for dominating the global culture,the country is also home to a wealth of independent filmmakers who struggle against themonolith of Hollywood as much as filmmakers anywhere in the world. DIFF 2013 offers ashowcase of this strong strand of independent filmmaking, including Wrong, the latest filmfrom Quentin Dupieux, who gave us the DIFF cult-hit Rubber in 2011, and Spring Breakersfrom Harmony Korine, the enfant terrible of American independent cinema. Francine tellsthe small and delicately drawn story of a socially inept woman who has just come out ofprison, while The Place Beyond the Pines is the highly anticipated new drama from directorDerek Cianfrance, who gave us Blue Valentine.It Felt Like Love from Eliza Hittman, Dust from Adam Dugas and Casey Spooner and Interior.Leather Bar, co-directed by Travis Mathews and James Franco, are all fascinating Americancontributions to DIFF 2013’s ‘Sexual Identities’ theme.Zombie Fest!HalleyWith literally hundreds of zombie films currently scheduled for release around the world, DIFF2013 showcases a diverse selection of films from the current zombie wave. Headlining thismini-focus area is the long-awaited remake of the Evil Dead, which conforms in many ways tothe classic zombie genre, as does Zombie Fever 3D, one of the first zombie films from Russia,although its tongue is planted deeply in its cheek. On a more serious note, there’s the slow,mournful and thoroughly beautiful Halley, which tells of a man whose body is rotting away.Frankenstein’s Army tells of a secret Nazi lab in which all manner of strange machines havebeen stitched together with human bodies. Then there’s Harold’s Going Stiff, an ultra-dry Britishzombie comedy with a big heart.10 34th Durban International Film Festival