Film tribute to the legacy of a legend- James Matthews
James Mathews passed away on the 7 September 2024 at the ripe old age of 95 years old.
The NFVF-SABC supported film The Park is based on the popular book of the same name. The book is written by the dearly departed world-renowned Cape Town born poet-author-political activist James Matthews. The film is to be screened on local television and worldwide online streaming on Friday 12 December 2025. More information below.
He lived in the Western Cape sub economic township of Silvertown in Athlone. He was also a publisher, and has produced five books of poetry, a collection of short stories, a novel and an anthology of poetry, which he edited. His works were among the first to be banned by the then apartheid government, and he was an important voice of dissent during a very difficult time in the country. His work was translated and published overseas.
Culturally, his death represents the end of an era. James has been a literary and cultural institution in Cape Town, an icon. In South African literature, he is part of a generation of pioneering black writers who truly established a tradition of resistance writing in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
The production of the film The Park was the brainchild of writer-producer-director Theo. E. Davids. He is a resident of Bridgetown. A neighbouring township of James Matthews Silvertown.
The decision to bring The Park story from book to screen was undertaken after the completion of Theo E. Davids successful participation in the very rewarding SABC/NFVF/SEDIBA screenwriters and producers programme. This was prior to James Mathews passing. Thereafter followed months of James Mathews and Theo E. Davids collaborating on writing and honing the screenplay. One of the main challenges of adapting a descriptive book story to the prescriptive visual medium of film. How to stay true to the book, at the same time create high concept moving images that impart knowledge, is informative, entertaining, and evoke emotions in its viewers? The film was successfully shot on 35 mm with Arriflex cameras. It was realized with the valuable support and help of the SABC; NFVF; Film Lab; Cinegate Afrika; residents of the Athlone; Silvertown; Bridgetown; Garden Village townships and residents of the Pinelands suburb, Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) and many like minded creatives.
Theo .E. Davids “I grew up knowing and seeing James in the Athlone area. Donning his famous black – Che Guevara like- beret and black leather waistcoat. He was frequently seen clutching books or carrying a leather sling bag, walking to and from the libraries, schools and the post office. Many a day, you will find him happily typing away on his portable typewriter under the Mulberry tree in his garden. He was a regular motivational speaker and facilitator of many free writing and poetry sessions at the intuitions of learning and creativity in our area. I was a great admirer of his work. As well as his values, integrity, moral standards and ethics as a political activist, prolific writer, fitness guru and human being. He was hardworking; disciplined; goal oriented; experimental, committed, and positive and displayed a steady natural artistic and personal growth. I will always hold him in high esteem. Filmmaking is not a one-man show- it is a collaboration. Therefore, we are deeply humbled and honoured that all our collective talents and the power of the Almighty could bring James Matthews’ vision to fruition”.
The story: The Park
In the 1960’s a twelve-year-old coloured boy had a life changing experience. Once a week he walks from his township called Garden Village – a coloured neighbourhood in Cape Town that comprise of cloned semi-detached houses, narrow dusty streets and no recreational facilities, to deliver a parcel of ironed washing to his mother’s white employer in the nearby luscious green pristine suburbs of Pinelands. Enroute, he would walk past a beautiful municipal playground park in Pinelands. However, only white people are allowed to use it. One day he decides to enter the park. Through the eyes of this young boy, the horror of apartheid is revealed.
Starring: Gary Gribble, Pam Bernado; Melanie Reeves; Nomvula Nqinigane; Ernest Samuels, Jennifer Lean, Nicole Reynolds; Glen Maclons, Avril Esterhuizen; Anthea La vita; Pamela Neale; Leon Goliath, Joseph Mitchell; Tania Adams
Music composers: John Rodriques; Edmund Bourne
Production Company: Gemini twins films. Post Production: SABC, Film lab
Screenplay: James Matthews; Producer- Director: Theo E. Davids
The Park screened on
Date: Friday 12 December 2025 at 10pm
On: DSTV Channel 263; Free vision Channel 331; Online FreeVision mobile app.; Freevisionplay.co.za and Cape Town TV
For more information: 0825363651 or info@geminitwins.co.za
