Shapiro challenges FPB’s 16 L N P SV rating for documentary Premiere

The 45th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) will be closing on Saturday with the premiere of a documentary entitled ‘The Showerhead’ in honour of renowned cartoonist Johnathan Shapiro better known as Zapiro.

The documentary speaks about how Zapiro’s cartoons have captured the essence of a variety of political issues plaguing the country. It showcases his work dating back to the post-apartheid era during Nelson Mandela’s tenure, the leadership of former President Jacob Zuma and now, the Government of National Unity (GNU).

It is directed by South African-born Craig Tanner and produced by Video Vision Entertainment’s Anant Singh.

Shapiro speaks about the documentary. “I am very excited about this. It is a documentary movie about my work and about having been one of the people who were in a tussle with Jacob Zuma. It is exciting. I was approached by Craig Turner, a South African who now lives in Australia, about doing the movie called ‘The Showerhead.’ People can expect to see things relating to freedom of expression, lots of cartoons.”

However, Shapiro says while they are excited about the documentary being premiered, they are challenging the decision of the Film and Publication Board’s Classification Committee to give the documentary a 16 L N P SV rating for its cinema release.

“It is completely absurd that a movie featuring cartoons that have been in the public domain for anyone of any age to see both in the media and in annual artwork. They are often used in schools’ exam papers, in classrooms across many subjects, and in political studies. It is absurd we are appealing it. We have fantastic lawyers, the same ones who fought for my cartoons and I do believe we will overrun that appeal.”

45th Durban International Film Festival