Movie Title: The Showerhead
Year: 2024
Country: South Africa,
Language: In English
Director and Screenplay: Craig Tanner
Producers: Craig Tanner, Anant Singh
Awards: Not publicised at the time
Cast: Jonathan Shapiro, Mondli Makhanya, Zwelinzima Vavi, Ronnie Kasrils, Ferial Haffejee,bMarcello Maffeis (Cinematographer)
What an entertaining night we had at the opening screening of SAFF2025 at SFU Goldcorp Centre in Vancouver. The film superbly directed and scripted by Craig Tanner introduces us to Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro, one of the world’s most influential political cartoonists.
Jonathon born in in South Africa had his first activist beginnings in the early 80’’s but it was only after the democratic election and the inauguration of Nelson Mandel in 1994 that he began to seriously consider using his satirical wit and cartoon capabilities while he was studying Architecture that led him to a different career.
In 2002 he produced his first cartoon on Jacob Zuma over the Arms Deal corruption allegations involving 3 former cabinet minister and 2 former presidents namely Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. The final payout which was never disclosed was estimated to be in the billions.
He also targeted Mbeki with cartoons and satire on his denial of the aid’s virus, but it was Zuma who had succeeded Mbeki, where he focused on all the cases of corruption and rape and denials, that he brilliantly came up with The Showerhead. A shower attached to the head of Zuma. With his illustrations he would attach or detach this object from Zuma’s head depending on whether Zuma would be tell the truth or not during the multitude of trials that he faced throughout his presidency. There were even shower illustrations where one could link the dots. You can watch the trailer link in this review which illustrates many of the cartoons and satire produced, some boldly, and others cleverly and subtlety illustrated.
One of the most interesting points of the film is the protection that Jonathan got from the strength of the constitution court developed after apartheid that helped him in defending several lawsuits against him. All were removed. He had the support of both the weekly Sunday Times and The Daily Maverick where he was able to publish his cartoons.
It would be very difficult in many countries including the U.S to have the same protection against this type of cartooning and freedom and expression.
The opening film has set the theme for many of the other films and documentaries being virtually screened in this year’s festival which has a strong focus in many of the documentaries focusing on injustices suffered in South Africa
Note The Film has a rating of 16 and over in South Africa. The rating is currently being appealed.
