giant steps
Bra’ Geoff Mphakati was a tireless cultural worker who shepherded a generation of musicians, fine artists and writers from his home in Mamelodi. The likes of Don Laka and Vusi Mahlasela cut their jazz teeth at his Pretoria Jazz Appreciation society meetings.
Lefifi Tladi was mentored by Bra’ Geoff after he was kicked out of school for being a “stupid”. Lefifi, inspired by The Last Poets, formed Dashiki, a cultural ensemble that became closely allied to Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement.
In 1976 Lefifi went into exile.
Giant Steps is a documentary that sees Bra’ Geoff and Lefifi re-united, the two of them taking a generation of younger poets, musicians and artists on a journey of consciousness that is an afrocentric approach to blackness now. Taking poart in this exploration are the likes of Kgafela oa Magogodi, Lesego Rampolokeng, Mac Manaka, Zim Ngqawana and Afurakan.
Bra’ Geoff passed away unexpectedly on the fourth day of shooting Giant Steps, which is his first documentary as director.
January 25th, 2006 at 1:38 am
Dear Guru,
I have just watched, breathlessly, Giant steps.
What amazing music, sounds and ideas.
This dazzling river is looks red as blood,
but it is not blood itself,
for its content is refreshing as clearest water,
It’s the colour of the pebbles on the floor
and the reflection of the purple sky.
Geoff Mphakati’s spirit, it seems,
floads like Lake Victory into a virtual delta of other minds.
This is really a very beautiful and touching and inspiring film.
I will watch it again soon and try to write about it.
I instantly thought about programming it somewhere,
together with some other, maybe new, films on the role of the artist.
Or the shape his social presence takes.
For the first time in a long time I have been truly convinced about the importance of art,
as a means to define reality instead of trying to CREATE one, wich is what most fasion, media and related modern art tend to do.
Thank you so much.
Its a pity I did not see this film before.
Otherwise I might have… you know… written something about it,
asked you and people in this film while I was over.
Anyway I will try to catch up something in Rotterdam.
PS: one of my thoughts, watching this film was:
why don’t you use some of its beautiful music in SMS Sugar Man?
It is really exceptional and emotional and haunting.
Much love
Dick Tuinder
January 26th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
Hi Aryan
Really enjoyed some quality viewing on the tellie Monday! The combinational mention of Giant steps, Lefifi and Lesego in the guide lit up some vague synaptial route that murmured..”Kaganof”. By the time the camera flipped over onto its side
said route lighted slightly (the volume of music over interviews was also a nod..), and then: murmur crystallised, blazing pixels ARYAN KAGANOF: during those, really, I must say, MASTERFUL split-screen
dances. Anyhow, very cool doc!
Mick Raubenheimer