So what has been happening? last week Gino got the invite to a VIP screening of The Shards, a new series on Disney+. 17-year-old Bret finds his whole world changing with the arrival at his prestigious L.A. prep school of enigmatic new classmate Robert Mallory, that just happens to coincide with the appearance of a serial killer called The Trawler.

With 3 years of episodes done and dusted, Gino looks back on what we have acheived since we began.

One streamer that we all forgot about is eVOD, free to air broadcaster e.tv's viideo on demand platform. Gino gave the free version a whirl. 

In other news, Season 3 of Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black returns to Netflix on the 27th of August, while, later in September, fresh from The Polygamist, Kenneth Nkosi hits the silver screen in a local comedy adventure. Timmy The Kid also features Lillian Dube, Celeste Ntuli and Sandile Mahlangu. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day broke records with the biggest box office opening ever seen in SA cinemas. And, finally, to bring it home, Gino raves about The Odyssey, and why he rates it so highly.

Till next time.

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Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

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The latest ACP is dialling in to Vegas to find out what went into the mix of Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending which is currently streaming on Apple TV.

4 x Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, and flair champion herself, Deborah Richards, directed this documentary with the help of Emmy-nominated producer and documentarian, Patrick Wirtz. Gino grabbed a Zoom call with the award-winning duo to find out how this all came about.

Shaken & Stirred is the first full length documentary that covers the sport and art form of Flair Bartending. This is all about performing tricks with cocktail shakers, bottles, and other bar tools to entertain the patrons while making drinks. It combines elements of juggling, flipping, and sometimes even bar-magic, such as manipulating flaming liquors or performing choreographed routines, to enhance the overall guest experience and add excitement to bartending. 

Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending recently won Film Threat's 2026 Best Sports Documentary and you can catch it right now on Apple TV.

The Official Site for Film Director, Deborah Richards

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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In this ep, Gino casts his eye across the latest in the dating world as season 3 of Married at First Sight hits DStv Stream, and, adding some local flavour, Mageza Wants A Wife - follows a taxi driver who spends time with 10 young singles in the hope of also finding a forever connection. So good to have something that showcases the township side of SA, rather than the usual "yawn, yawn" places.

Gino also takes a quick look at what you can look forward to on Netflix, which has a whole stack of stuff coming up:

1. Mourinho - documentary about Jose Mourinho
2. 72 Hours - comedy with Kevin Hart
3. Various Comedy Specials - look out for Rory Scovel, Kelsey Cook and Mary Beth Barone 
4. Umthetho - SA drama with Nqobile Nunu and Tony Kgoroge 
5. Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy - Mo Gilligan leads a documentary look into the fried chicken industry
6. Let's Marry Harry - Dating show with Harry Jowsey
7. The Last House - a psychological thriller 
8. The Idaho Murders College Nightmare - a documentary murder investigation 

It's not often that you get something for free, but Amazon is running a 30-day free trial, which Gino used to check out Project Hail Mary  and, would you believe it?, Tyler Perry's Finding Joy.

And finally, we mourn the tragic passing of 18 year old actress Kaylee Hottle, known for the last two "Godzilla" movies, where she played an orphaned girl named Jia who sees beyond Kong’s threatening appearance and learns to communicate with him through sign language.

Next time we hook up with the director of Shaken & Stirred, a flair bartending documentary.

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

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Best known for his role as Kenneth Mashaba in Generations, Seputla Sebogodi appeared in many well known productions, including Scandal! and Suburban Bliss, among others. as well as releasing a number of gospel albums. Only weeks before his passing, he premiered his new play Black Moon, at the National Arts Festival.

And we also pay tribute to Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder,  Jayden Adams, just weeks after he helped South Africa reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the very first time.

And speaking of the World Cup, it's done - Viva España!

So, next up are the Springboks, who have already soundly beaten England, Scotland and Wales over the last few weeks, but on the horizon is the incoming All Blacks tour. Gino reflects on where best to watch Bok rugby.  

And for something completely different, head for Disney+ to get up close with Hammerhead Sharks, and find out why it all reminded Gino of Moana. “You will board my boat, sail across the sea...”

And don't forget our crowdfunding campaign to bring you ACP in all its technicolour glory, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a heap of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. You know it's the right thing to do!  

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Music has long been celebrated for its power to inspire, but for Thulani “Fosta” Headman, it became the foundation for rebuilding a life, a life now featured in a new documentary. 

Premiering at the Durban International Film Festival on 24 July, FOSTA follows Thulani's story from former Langa gang member and Pollsmoor prisoner to internationally recognised DJ, mentor, and community leader. Gino joined Thulani, via Zoom, to get some insight into how this documentary came to be, and to give you a taste of what FOSTA is all about. 

Thulani talks of his early family life growing up in the company of some of South Africa's top musicians, and how that background became such a driving force for him, through his experience in Pollsmoor, to his part in the creation of a learning space in Langa, the Bridges Academy, that has helped transform opportunities for young creatives in the community, offering access to world-class technology, mentorship and education.

Thirteen years in the making, FOSTA premiers at the Durban International Film Festival on 24 July. 

And before we go, a reminder of our crowdfunding campaign to bring you ACP in all its technicolour glory, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a heap of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Gino grabbed his chance and his phone to catch a few moments at the screening with the film's acclaimed director Twiggy Matiwana. This comedy drama is now showing at all Ster-Kinekors.

Speaking of Ster-Kinekor, they have relaunched Throwback Cinema, so you can rewatch classics like: 

• Stuart Little
• Annie
• The Hobbit 
• Gone With the Wind

And if you download their app or hit their website, sterkinekor.com, you can find the latest releases, including:

• Toy Story
• Moana
• Supergirl
• Minions and Monsters 
• The Death of Robin Hood 
• Disclosure Day 
• Jackass: Best and Last 
• Scary Movie
• Spider-man: Brand New Day  

Gino also brings you up to date with where he is with The Bear, and there's a new South African family drama on Netflix. The Four of Us centres on the influential Dhlomo family in which the usual issues threaten to tear the family apart. Hot stuff - and exactly what we need with the temperatures right now. 

And finally, a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a stack of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  

Stay Warm! 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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With the football done, it's an episode of reviews, kicking off with what has become a global sensation, The Polygamist. The South African hit telenovela follows Jonasi Gomora, a self-made CEO and banker, whose carefully curated empire begins to unravel as his wife, secret second wife, mistress, and girlfriend fight for his life and wealth. 

Sandwiched between The Polygamist and the latest Avatar, Gino does some catching up by diving into The Bear, although he's only managed Season 1 as yet. 

From food to fantasy, and Gino gets over himself to sit through the entire 3 hours 17 minutes of the ongoing happenings of the Blue people.

And finally, back home again, as we head to this afternoon's film critics screening of the fresh new look at the legendary Drum magazine's agony aunt Dear Sis Dolly.

Plus a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a stack of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  

So, who's gonna make it past the last 16?

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Miguel Eek was born in Madrid in 1982. Raised between Mallorca, Stockholm and Barcelona, where he graduated in Documentary Filmmaking at the Cinema and Audiovisual School of Catalonia (ESCAC). He completed his training at the Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki.

Amilcar is a decade long project, drawing on letters to his wives, which seeks to move beyond iconography and return Amílcar Cabral to the realm of the human, the fragile, and the unfinished.

ACP managed to grab a fascinating few minutes with the filmmaker, between him delivering a Live Masterclass to an enthusiastic audience at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg on the complexities of running a 10 year movie project, and having to rush off to a sponsor's lunch. 

And a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a whole bunch of rewards depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps. 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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It's an all Disney ep as Gino also attended the Disney+ 2026 content showcase and he shares some of what went down and what to look out for this month.

1. Not Suitable For Work - follows the lives of 5 workaholics as they navigate big city life and relationships in Manhattan.
2. Hoppers -an environmentalist girl devotes her energy fighting the city mayor instead of concentrating on school work.
3. Will Trent S4 - a Special Agent who takes on gripping new cases. Inspired by Karin Slaughter’s novels.
4. Alice & Steve - a Hulu Original series from the UK.
5. Best of the World with Antoni Porowski - explores some of the world's most extraordinary destinations.
6. The Bear S5 -  A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop.
7. Avatar: Fire and Ash - Jake and Neytiri's family grapples with grief, encountering a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.
8. ESPN - catch all the latest sporting action. 

We give you a head's up on the launch of Disney+ Quiz Nights across the country from the 24th of June, and Gino gives the lowdown on our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video so you can watch as well as listen. There's a whole bunch of rewards depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps. Dankie!

And finally, it being football season, a quick look at just how Messi got discovered in Messi: The Forgotten Tape, also on Disney+.   

Have a fabulous Youth Day!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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This year’s line-up includes a host of South African films alongside storytelling from around the world. In total 58 films from 33 countries have been selected. There will be world premieres as well as several international documentaries getting their first screening on the African continent.

Gino managed to grab a slot with the busy Mandisa to dig deeper into her love of documentaries, what got her involved with Encounters, and how she manages all three cities at the same time, as well as the host of both national and international filmmakers. Mandisa is not called the "ambassador for the SA film industry" for nothing.

To get the full picture of what's happening and to get your festival tickets, check out encounters.co.za 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Kicking off the week with a bunch of stuff to check out on Netflix:

• Season 4 of Perfect Match 
• Season 2 of Murder Mindfully
• A new three part documentary on Kylie plus her "live-in-concert" 
• The sports documentary series Untold hits the UK and first in the spotlight is footballer Jamie Vardy
• Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the screen with the comedy Ladies First
• and coming very soon is the South African produced biblical story of David. You can check out the soundtrack here       

Next up is Gino's review of Rafa, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at Rafael Nadal, his personal life, unseen archives, and his journey to return to competitive play in 2024 after overcoming injuries in 2023.

Exclusive Books answered Gino's prayers and sent us Jet Li’s Beyond Life and Death, so our next Movie Book Club will go there. From Kung Fu to comedy. In our second review, Sacha Baron Cohen returns with Ladies First, where a male chauvinist is transported to a matriarchal society, facing challenges from a formidable female version of himself.

And finally, the documentary festival, Encounters, is about to kick off, but more on that to come. For tickets and more info, head to the Encounters site. 

And a final final, Gino won a game of Baccarat at the new Jade Casino - move over Mr Bond!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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The Testaments is the sequel to the well known The Handmaid's Tale, and is set roughly four years later. The series focuses on a new generation of young women in the dystopian world of Gilead. The story follows Agnes, the biological daughter of Offred, and Daisy, a teen brought into Gilead from outside. Both attend Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is enforced brutally and framed as divine duty.

Also check out Gino's list of other books that are either currently streaming on Disney Plus or are on their way:

1. The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson
2. Snow White Sing-along for a more interactive experience
3. Mufasa: The Lion King
4. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, still in development by the studios. 
5. Freakier Friday the sequel to the adaptation of Mary Rodger’s “Freaky Friday” which came out in 2003
6. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Time to get your read on. Check out your local store or online at exclusivebooks.co.za

The Testaments supplied by Exclusive Books- the start to every great read. 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Coming soon; not just a brand new totally South African action series, but hopefully the start of a whole new hig-impact, African rooted universe. Marvel, you have been warned!

This week Gino had the chance to chat to series creator Waleed Al-Yamani, alongside lead actor Richard Gau to talk all things Martyrs. 

The mini-series follows the lives of a detective partnership between Rian, a gut-driven rebel, and Lupita, a disciplined military orphan. The pair discover the body of a woman doused with a mysterious drug. This discovery leads them into an underground world, where they uncover a series of dark secrets. 

The series is a collaboration between Waleed, and Richard's People's Republic of Entertainment, and will launch on YouTube on June 27.

Save the date - it's gonna be hot!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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In today's ACP, Gino talks, via Zoom, to local documentary filmmaker Dowelani Nenzhelele, whose own family lost hundreds of thousands of rands, about, not only the personal cost, but the pain and suffering visited on the victims, many who still have seen nothing of their missing money. Dowelani talks about how working alongside Idea Candy helped him bring the whole sorry story to the screen.

The People vs VBS follows the money to show how a small mutual bank became entangled with multinational auditors, political parties, a royal household and a former president.

You can stream The People vs VBS on DStv Stream and don't forget to check out Backpack Films to find out what Dowelani and the next generation of film makers are up to.

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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So, obvs, we needed to talk to them. Gino got hold of them via Zoom to get some insight into the "whats?" and "whys?" behind the film. 

It tells the story of an elderly goat herder, Hettie, who falls victim to a scam promising long-overdue reparations for her father’s WWII service. As she waits for money that will never come, the disruptions of her 80th birthday threaten to strip away the last of her independence. 

Devon adds, “Although the film is fictional, it's based on the real experiences of people who have historically borne the brunt of a lot of injustices and continue to fall victim to these scams".

The Tiger Competition jury said: “Possessing a deep poetic language, we found this to be a thoughtful and moving portrait of a community living under the spectre of colonial legacies and familial bonds in this world and the next.”

You can catch Variations on a Theme at Ster-Kinekor V&A Nouveau in Cape Town or at Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg. 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Firstly, on a sad note, trailblazing beauty queen and established actress, Cynthia Shange has left us. After being crowned Miss Black South Africa she went on to represent the country at Miss World in 1972. She was also the lead star in South Africa's first black feature film, Udeliwe. 

The invites! Invite number 1 was to Michael, at the IMAX with Laser in Rosebank. A long, long time in production, the movie follows Michael's rise to stardom from the early days in the 60s to his explosion as a megastar in the early 90s. Go!

Invite number 2 was another groundbreaker in a way. BTS is a South Korean boy band who have made it big all over the world. After a pause to do military service, they reunited and started touring again. Their recent Arirang World Tour Tokyo concert was livestreamed to cinemas globally and Gino was there with the rest of the ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth).

The 12th Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards are around the corner and this year they will be hosted by SA's Nomzamo Mbatha and Nigeria’s producer-comedian-actor, Bovi on the 9th May in Lagos.

While, on the same day, the SAFFA Stunt Awards are happening in Cape Town, you can get tickets by calling +27 83 716 1821.

And, don't miss the next ep, when Gino chats to directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar about their film, Variations on a Theme, which premiered earlier in 2026, won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Best African Film at the 2026 Joburg Film Festival. Be there!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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When Zenobia was with us last she chatted to Gino about Finding Optel and Fiela se Kind amog other things.  And now she is back to talk about her two latest works.

Firstly the crime-thriller180 tells the tale of an enraged father who spirals down a dark path of emotional turmoil and vengeance when an unexpected road rage incident leaves his son in a critical condition. You can find 180 on Netflix.

In a different direction is Hive, a horror story about a teen babysitter who loses the baby in her care. She finds herself facing a dark menace lurking among the playground children. Hive is currently on Tubi, a US-based streaming site, so check tubitv.com to see if it is available in your country.

To get in touch with Zenobia professionally, you can email Monique on monique@moze.co.za

In other news, the second SAFFA Stunt Awards is taking place on 9 May at the Avalon Theatre in Cape Town. For bookings call +27 83 716 1821. If you can, please suppport this lesser-featured section of the film world.

And finally, don't miss our next episode when Gino will report back on the premiere of Michael  at the state-of-the-art IMAX® with Laser in Rosebank. Should be a Thriller!

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And from the previous weekend, Gino also got to spend some time at Emperors Palace to take in some of their Easter Royale week. Family fun, with plenty of competitions to keep you entertained.

Back to TV and next up is your Top Ten watchlist for Netflix:

1. Untold: Chess Mates
2. Trust Me: The False Prophet
3. Thrash
4. The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson
5. The Predator of Seville
6. Sheng Wang: Purple
7. Temptation Island S2
8. One Piece S2
9. BTS The Return
10. Age of Attraction

Missing Showmax? Here's where to find all that content, and finally we take a quick look at the Directors Guild of South Africa’s Creative Awards which took place over the weekend in Cape Town.  

That's it from African Couch Potato, the number 1 film and television podcast to listen to in S.A. according to Feedspot.com. 

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In sound design, Foley is the reproduction of these everyday sound effects that are added to films, TV shows and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality, and it requires someone to create them. Enter the Foley artist.

This week Gino spoke, via Zoom, to Academy of Sound Engineering lecturer, Sean Radford, about the art of Foley and just what it entails. As each sound effect is recorded live, it is important to have an understanding of recording techniques, how microphones work and what they do, as well as having an active imagination; you might need to replicate those difficult sounds like someone's arm breaking (celery - who knew?).

It is these added and enhanced sounds that are an integral part of the on screen universe, and without them the illusion doesn't work. Paradoxically, the better Foley artist you are, the less you are noticed.

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Sadly, we kick off with the loss of Chuck Norris. Probably most well-known for Walker, Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is a legend in the world of martial arts and entertainment. He inspired countless memes, jokes, alongside much admiration for his achievements and personality.

Also leaving us is Showmax. Africa’s biggest streamer will end on 30 April, so you have one more month to get your binge fix. Over the last two years Gino has chatted to many guests, from both behind and in front of the cameras, whose shows or films appeared on Showmax. So, goodbye Showmax, welcome back DStv Stream.

Netflix is bringing sexy back with season 3 of Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black, and South Africa’s very own Fatal Seduction wraps up season 2.

The new Bafana Bafana jerseys are out and you have a couple of months to grab yours. From 11 June the world gives it all up to soccer as the FIFA World Cup gets underway, and in the very first game South Africa will take on Mexico. You can watch all the action on SABC, so no excuses.

The US v Iran might be an interesting game, if they get that far.   

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The Reconciliation is an art-house drama about people who believe they’ve changed, until change asks something real of them. Anchored in a particularly South African context, the film explores the true costs of reconciliation when holding on to the past begins to suffocate the future. 

The story unfolds over a single Christmas Day at an old family home in an affluent suburb of Cape Town, where a mother tries to bring her fractured family together for what may be their final Christmas together. Determined to keep everyone at the table and preserve the appearance of unity, she finds her belief in reconciliation put to the test.

ACP managed to hook up over Zoom with independent filmmaker Jonty Acton, currently in Germany, to talk about the film, his own childhood experiences that had such an influence on the storyline, and what finally pushed him to look at "crowdfunding" as a way forward. 

The film asks a simple, but perhaps uncomfortable, question:

What happens when reconciliation becomes a way of avoiding real change?

You can find Jonty's project at the Indiegogo.com link below. They are at over 80% of the required funding at the time of writing. Check it out.

https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/jonty-acton/the-reconciliation----a-south-african-feature-film?ref=search

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Podcasthon started in 2023 with 300 French-speaking podcasters. It grew in 2024 and hit the international podcast stage last year, which is when we got on board. As part of this year's over 1,500 podcasters doing their bit, we will be focussing on South Africa's Chaeli Campaign.

Born in Cape Town in the mid - 90s, Michaela “Chaeli” Mycroft co-founded The Chaeli Campaign when she was 9 years old. What started as a fundraising initiative to raise funds for her first motorised wheelchair to help her experience more independence has grown over the last 22 years, to becoming an internationally recognised foundation. Gino chatted with the vibrant Chaeli about her life with cerebral palsy, both growing up, the eventual establishment of the Chaeli Campaign and so much more . 

The Objectives of The Chaeli Campaign are to:

• Promote and provide the mobility and educational needs of disabled children;
• Use its facilities and resources to assist the disabled community in any way it sees fit;
• Work in collaboration with other organisations for the advancement of the disabled community;
• Act as a facilitator to other centres / organisations / communities.

 As Chaeli says, "funding is always needed" and you can get on board with this extremely worthwhile campiagn at Home - Chaeli Campaign 

You don't argue with a girl who did Kili in a wheelchair

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This week Gino connected with Cape Town–based composer, musician, and producer, Wesley, via Zoom, to talk about his musical beginnings, as a student and then a teacher, as well as his work, featuring over 25 movies among many other productions, notably his SAFTA nominated Reënboogrant. 

Inspired by Louise van Niekerk’s bestselling 90s novels, Reënboogrant is a Pretoria-based teen telenovela centred on the Brink family. It is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the world of authentic teenage drama, family conflicts, love, aspirations, and fierce rivalries. Catch all the highs and lows at Hoërskool Reënboogrant, now streaming on Showmax.

Wesley is also very busy planning his wedding and we wish him all the best. 

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Welcome to episode 35 of season 3 of African Couch Potato. This week we say Goodbye, Hello and Congratulations.

We say Goodbye to Eric Dane. Best known for his roles on Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, the American actor died less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neuron disease. He was 53.
Dane starred as family patriarch Cal Jacobs in the hit teen drama Euphoria. Before that, he was perhaps best known as Dr Mark Sloan, or "Dr McSteamy", in Grey's Anatomy.

We say Hello to several series which are coming to Mzansi Magic, notably Youngins and Law, Love and Betrayal plus an extension to the popular Inimba.

We say Congratulations to the freshly-announced SAFTA nominees, many of whom have been in the hotseat as guests of ACP.

Gino also runs through a list of what to watch as we swing into March, including:

Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight - depicts 8-year-old Bobo's life on her family's Rhodesian farm during the Bush War's final stages. 

Pamela, A Love Story - Follows the life of pop culture icon Pamela Anderson, including never-before-seen archival footage and personal journals.

Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model  - a documentary look at how the glamorous competition became a pop-culture phenomenon marked by explosive drama, meltdowns, and controversies.

In The Moment - follows London comedian Mo Gilligan as he dishes on fame, family and being British in America.

Being Gordon Ramsay - follows the celebrity chef's journey to launch dining concepts at 22 Bishopsgate, London's second tallest building..

Taylor Tomlinson: Prodigal Daughter - her fourth Netflix special, following Quarter-Life Crisis (2020), Look At You (2022), and Have It All (2024).

March on!

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Helderberg is a locally produced 3-part documentary, and this week on ACP, Gino had the chance to chat to producer Elle Oosthuizen and director Tim Apter about how the series happened and just what goes into pulling together a story from almost 40 years ago. 

Over the years many documents and transcripts have been lost, people involved at the time have passed on, and the failure to reach a definite conclusion in the original investigation has led to all sorts of theories and speculations as to what actually happened.

The Helderberg disaster remains a significant event in South African aviation history, marked by tragedy and ongoing questions about its causes and implications. Catch all three parts of Helderberg currently streaming on Showmax.

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Rian chats to Gino about his, often controversial, career from his early days, to his many years of hosting intriguing conversations as a radio DJ and his move into the world of television, where he has helmed such notable successes as Sex in Afrikaans, Die Real Housewives van Pretoria and Tiek Tok Boem. 

Brakpan Chronicles starts streaming on Showmax, this Friday

(Closest cities to Brakpan town centre? Liquor City and Baby City)

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In this week's ACP, Gino gets to sit down and follow the budding career of this young hot-shot actor, from his school days, to his interest in sound engineering and mixing for TV, and how that led to new and exciting roles, this time in front of the camera. For someone still on their upward journey, Aluve's CV is already full of big names. Equally comfortable in TV productions, commercials or in the movies, Aluve's star is surely set to shine.   

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Born and raised in Daveyton, Keketso Mpitso began attending acting classes in a local community theatre at the age of 10. This led him to attend East Rand School Of the Arts followed by CityVarsity School of Media and Creative Arts where he obtained an Advance Diploma in Acting for Television. After a brief stint as a radio DJ, his career took off with films for Mzanzi Bioskop. 

Gino sat down with Keketso to talk about soccer, his early years, his love for theatre, and, of course, the return of one of Outlaws’ most unpredictable villains.

Outlaws follows the dramatic lives of the Biyela clan, Zulu cattle farmers, and the Tseoles, Basotho cattle raiders on the border between Lesotho and KZN, now streaming on Showmax

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We kick off with a mention of The Bridge Networking Soiree, a new initiative that aims to introduce Black American professionals to South African professionals, to share intellectual, social and venture capital. Unfortunately Gino couldn't make it but thanks for the invite!

Tot Siens, Selina on Showmax, pays tribute to a domestic worker and the integgral role she played in the filmmaker, Lourensa Eckard's life.

Despite his dislike of action flicks, Gino gives The Rip, starring Ben Affleck and  Matt Damon a 10/10. In The Rip (Netflix) a group of cops discovers a stash of cash, leading to distrust and corruption.

Back home, the animated bible movie David is making waves as it has ironically taken on the Goliath that is the latest Avatar offering. In cinemas now!

And finally when you thought you had seen everything; you haven't, yet! Dating Naked UK is now on DStv Stream. Single men and women bare all on a tropical island in the hopes of finding love without modern world complications getting in the way, hosted by reality celeb Rylan Clark. Now you've seen it all!

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Albert, as Flip Bosman, the manager, takes on the iconic role that earned both Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell their first Golden Globes, as David Brent in the British version and Michael Scott in the US version, respectively. No pressure then.

South Africa’s version of The Office, has been spiced up with a distinctly local flavour. A documentary film crew is busy filming a day-to-day look into how polony is made in Klerksdorp's Deluxe Processed Meats company. However, things are about to get shaken up, as a BEE consortium has recently acquired a significant share of the business.

Gino talks to Albert about his early days and how he got into theatre, before his TV and movie career too off. And we get some insight into both Die Kantoor and Flip Bosman, the self-proclaimed Rassie of the polony business.

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We kick off with a new show on Mzansi Magic, Bhelas, which follows the life of Thato - a young college drop-out who wants to become a chef.

Across the pond to the supposed "Land of the Free", we find a jail in Arizona where the inmates govern themselves. This experimental docu-series is the brainchild of a local sherrif who wants to shake things up. Check it out, Gino gives it an 8/10.  

AFCON is getting close to the sharp end, and unfortunately we (South Africa) are no longer contenders. Gino bemoans the fate of Bafana Bafana and our loss of footballing glory.

Nigerian singer/songwriter Wizkid's documentary, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos is out on Showmax. A deeply personal look at a singular musician, the film also outlines the expansion of African music to a global, mainstream stage where it's recognized as the many disparate genres and sounds it is.

And we round off the episode with an update on how things stand in Harlan Coben's Run Away , currently streaming on Netflix.

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Here is the movie list with their expected release dates

Top 26 anticipated movies for 2026

1. People We Meet on Vacation - Jan 9
2. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - Jan 16
3. The Moment - Jan 30
4. Send Help - Jan 30
5. Wuthering Heights - Feb 13
6. Scream 7 - Feb 27
7. The Bride! - Mar 6
8. The Breadwinner - Mar 13
9. Project Hail Mary - Mar 20
10. The Drama - Apr 3
11. The Devil Wears Prada - May 1
12. Mandalorian and Grogu - May 22
13. Disclosure Day - Jun 12
14. Toy Story 5 - Jun 19
15. Supergirl - Jun 26
16. Moana - Jul 10
17. The Odyssey - mid Jul
18. Spider-man: Brand New Day - Jul 31 
19. Resident Evil - Sep 18
20. Whalefall - Oct 16
21. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - Nov 20
22. Meet the Parents 4: Focker In-law - Nov 25
23. Narnia - Nov 26
24. Jumanji 3 - Dec 4
25. Doomsday - Dec 18
26. Dune: Part Three - Dec 18

A stack of diary dates to keep you going through 2026.

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In a move that took many people by surprise, Netflix is planning to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, which, if successful, will make it possibly the largest media company on the planet. The downside for us is that we may lose several channels from DStv, as  well as some shows from Showmax. 

Now, here's Gino's top 25 for '25: 

1. Love and Wine - A rich guy working for his dad's company falls for a student. 
2. Man vs Baby - Rowan Atkinson is looking after another un-asked-for companion.
3. Monster: The Ed Gein Story - A series chronicling the stories of infamous killers.
4. Bad Influencer - A single mom partners with an influencer to sell counterfeit designer bags.
5. aka Charlie Sheen - The actor discusses his rise to fame and public downfall.
6. The Thursday Murder Club - Retirees spend their time solving cold case murders.
7. Building The Band - 50 contestants form bands without meeting.
8. A Minecraft Movie - 4 misfits are pulled through a mysterious portal.
9. Unseen (S2)  - Zenzi's new reality brings with it enemies and alliances.
10. Forever - Two high schoolers in L.A. navigate first love and intimacy.
11. The Diamond Heist - London criminals plan an audacious heist.
12. Black Mirror (S7) - Satirical tales explore techno-paranoia.
13. Ralph Barbosa - Cowabunga - Cheeky stand-up special.
14. Million Dollar Secret - A player starts with $1m, while 11 more try to capture them.
15. Con Mum - A chef's world turns chaotic when a socialite appears, claiming to be his mom. 
16. Andrew Schulz Life - Comedy special about starting a family and going through IVF treatments.
17. GO!  - A young sprinter has to overcome past trauma as he attends a prestigious school.
18. Adolescence - A 13-year-old is accused of the murder of a classmate.
19. School of Chocolate - Professionals test their skills under chocolatier, Amaury Guichon.
20. Apple Cider Vinegar - Wellness guru Belle Gibson, who pretended to have cancer.
21. The Kings of Tupelo - Small-town Mississippi's jaw-dropping scandal.
22. Shaka iLembe - The making of the iconic African king.
23. Inimba - A business woman gives birth, but chooses her career over her child.
24. The Chair Company - A man investigates a conspiracy.
25. Married At First Sight: Mzansi - Singles agree to marry partners chosen by experts. 

That about wraps it up . See you next year!

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Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Moving on, this week sees Gino relating his adventures from his hilarious recent roadtrip to Mozambique, where just about everything that could go wrong, did!

Surviving the trip, Gino takes a look at the new Netflix release: Love and Wine, the story of a rich guy working for his dad's company, who falls for a med student and pretends to be poor like her. His lie spirals into a mess of comedy and touching moments.

There's more comedy with How to Ruin Love - Suspecting infidelity, Zoleka plans to catch her boyfriend in the act, only to ruin her own surprise proposal. Now she must win him back.

And comedic royalty Rowan Atkinson is back with Man vs Baby which picks up after Man vs Bee. This time Trevor (Atkinson) is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion.

The third installment of Knives Out, titled Wake Up Deadman revives Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc, who is called to investigate the death of a prominent clergyman during a church service, with the entire congregation present and all of them potential suspects.

This neatly takes us to the Genesis - In The Garden Concert on Boxing Day, featuring not only members of the Genesis cast but also some of the top gospel singers around. 

And on that note, African Couch Potato wishes you a joyous and peaceful festive season.

For those that need to know - Florestinha do Índico means Little Forest of the Indian Ocean

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The Creatives Awards is a groundbreaking event that sets a new gold standard for recognizing and celebrating the brilliance, innovation, and artistic excellence within South Africa’s film and television industry. The main awards ceremony will be happening next year in March

Luto also talks about her earlier years in the modelling industry which led to her becoming a coach, training toddlers and teenagers in modeling and life skills for fashion shows, and her ultimate goal, which is to be an actress. 

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Sibusiso might be known to older listeners from his days on Kideo and YoTv Land where he started at the age of 6 years old. He talks to Gino about those early days and how celebrity status is no longer what it was.

From his days as a child star, he stayed in the entertainment industry where he has popped up as an actor, a radio DJ and more recently as a producer. 

Sibusiso is involved with SID Media, hosting programs that combine music, inspirational conversations, and community engagement. He is also heavily involved with Hope Channel Africa as Head of Content and Programming.

His newest venture is Khula Ndoda, a new podcast born out of a passion to mentor and guide young boys through the challenges of adolescence. Developed with a dedicated team in South Africa, the podcast aims to offer support and guidance to young men navigating the complexities of growing up.

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ACP has a look at the Open Chats Podcast which scored a win with the South African Social Media Awards (SASMA) which took place recently.

In case you were wondering, Gino gives a rundown of the top 10 (music) videos that racked up a billion views the fastest on YT.

And before you hit the pool or the beach, here's some watchlists to keep you occupied.  

 On Netflix

1. Stranger Things - Season 5 - One Last Adventure
2. Kevin Hart - Acting My Age - In his latest stand-up special, Kevin Hart hilariously tackles middle-age challenges
3. Troll 2 - Nora, Andreas and Captain Kris leap back into action when a dangerous new troll awakes - and this time they'll need more help to take it down.
4. All The Empty Rooms - A seven-year-long project to document the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings.
5. One Piece, Season 32, Egghead Arc -Rubber-bodied dreamer Monkey D. Luffy gathers an eclectic pirate crew and braves the perilous Grand Line, battling tyrants and monsters to become King of the Pirates.

Coming Soon

1. Love and Wine - Childhood friends trade lives to see who can find true love. 
2. Sean Combs - The Reckoning - A revealing look at Sean Combs' journey from music mogul to controversial figure.
3. Man vs Baby - Rowan Atkinson is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion.
4. Simon Cowel:The Next Act -Simon Cowell's journey to create a hit boy band
5. Wake Up Dead Man - Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.

and on Showmax

1. Novocaine - When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.
2. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa - You know there's gonna be fighting!
3. The Chair Company - Follows a man who investigates a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work.
4. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning - With governments and a figure from his past in pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.
5. Drop -A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone.

Enjoy! 

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Born in Zimbabwe with a father in political exile and a mother busy covering war as a foreign correspondent, it is no real surprise that Nikki would end up working on documentaries. And what a list that is.  

Gino and Nikki discuss from 2004's Algemeen Befokte Afrikaans through to last year's Tracking Thabo Bester, and of course, her latest work Unspoken War, a 6-part documentary now streaming on Showmax and also on Mnet.  

While the war essentially took place from 1966 to 1989, very few people are aware of the details of it, as it's almost never spoken about, hence the title.

As Niiki says, "Almost everybody has a connection to the war, and anybody we spoke to almost felt like they needed to get something off their chest.

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ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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First up is Boots on Netflix. based on the book The Pink Marine. This is the story of a gay teen who joins the Marine Corps in the late 70s. A brave move by anybody's standards; homosexuality being a big no-no in the US military at that time.  

"I have done everything" claims the next subject under Gino's scrutiny. Being Eddie highlights Eddie Murphy's unique ability to reinvent himself throughout his nearly 50-year career, and his impact on the entertainment industry.

Check out Gino's Top Ten Eddie Murphy movies

1. Life with Martin Lawrence
2. Coming To America
3. The Nutty Professor
4. Dream Girls
5. Daddy Day Care
6. Shrek
7. Dr Dolittle
8. Meet Dave
9. You People
10. Beverly Hills Cop Axel F.

Ok, the summit. Timed to coincide with the G20, the Global Creative Summit positioned Africa’s creative economy alongside the world’s leading economic agenda. Clever! The three-day event fixed around five creative areas where Africa is pushing the boundaries: music, film & television, fashion & design, gaming & digital arts, and publishing & literature. Each sector was explored through panel discussions (including Gino) aimed at unlocking growth and investment.

Lastly a throwback in two senses. One, a feature that we used to do; the Golden Oldie, and two, back to 2011, with 50/50. Inspired by a true story, this poignant comedy centres on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

And that's all she wrote...

Don't miss next week when Gino chats to Nikki Comninos, director of Unspoken War. 

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

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ted@aten.co.za

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First up, while finding animé content for his son's birthday, Gino finds out that ratings vary from country to country and that what is ok in one country is definitely not suitable in others.  

Next, after months of waiting, director Guillermo del Toro's ambitious adaptation of author Mary Shelley's classic horror, Frankenstein, rises from the slab on Netflix.

The big news is that the long-awaited Michael is finally happening in April next year, "tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world." You heard it here first.

Showmax has released the trailer for Masinga - The Calling, due out early December. This edgy crime thriller explores an exiled Zulu detective's return to his homeland, where he is forced to confront the demons of his youth.

Plus news of the GEMA awards, honouring innovation and outstanding achievements in TV and streaming marketing.

And get ready for a true blast from the past with the rollout of a red
carpet of iconic favourites at Ster-Kinekor this month.

Plenty of stuff to take your mind off the gloomy weather.

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

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ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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In the news, the SABC TV licence crisis is not getting any better, while Multichoice's Shaka iLembe scored big on the job front.

Finally, what to look out for on Netflix:

The Big C - A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.

My Sister's Husband - Amara deceitfully pawns her sister off to her husband which leads to a marital quagmire.

Just Alice - A resourceful wife leads a double life, expertly juggling separate households and husbands while trying to keep her elaborate charade from falling apart.

Unspeakable Things - Leanne Morgan discusses her rise to fame, family matters, and her one-time CBD experience. 

Being Eddie - Follows a comprehensive look at Eddie Murphy's life and career.

 while on Showmax:

Outlaws S2 - Set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, Outlaws is the story of two families at war with each other

The Unspoken War - In 1993, four years after the last shots were fired in the "Border War", a peaceful end to apartheid was negotiated.

Drop - A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone.

Last Breath - A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.

High Ground - When a mysterious prisoner lands in his jail, a border town sheriff faces the wrath of a brutal cartel in this action-packed thriller.

That should keep you going for a while - enjoy!

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Their film Finding Optel just started streaming on Showmax last week so Gino grabbed the opportunity to chat to co-director, writer and lead actress, Mikayla, about what inspired her, how they pulled it together and what it was like being at the London Film Festival.

The heartwarming, quirky detective story Finding Optel is all about teenager Claire Abrahams who runs a lost and found service. When the community dog, Optel, goes missing, Claire stumbles upon clues to another mystery much closer to home — the disappearance of her troubled older brother. Through quirky encounters, community secrets, and a trail of hope, Claire must solve her biggest case yet.

Mikayla chats to Gino about the inspirations behind the film and her desire to paint a different picture of life on the Cape Flats, away from the usual stories of gangsterism and violence.

“There is such beauty that exists in those communities. I wanted Finding Optel to portray a different narrative that is more hopeful than harrowing." says Mikayla.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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As an appetizer, Gino looks at School Ties, nominated for an international Emmy and directed by previous guest Richard Finn Gregory, this alarming documentary series explores the culture of sexual grooming at all-boys’ schools in South Africa and is currently on Showmax. 

Our next course will also be on Showmax, an upcoming documentary series on the Angolan Bush war. Titled Unspoken War, the series takes a hard look at the over twenty year conflict between South Africa and the various liberation movements that eventually resulted in Namibian independence. The series drops on the 12th November.

Another new show coming to Showmax is Slay Queens. Starting on the 31st October with new episodes dropping every Friday. Guess what it is about? Young women getting into transactional relationships with often older men for access to their bodies. But you knew that.

As a side order Ngicela iVisa invites men to go on the show to publicly ask for a break from their wives so they can "tie up loose ends". It's going to end in tears.   

To end proceedings, the National Film & Television Awards South Africa has announced its nominees for the 3rd iteration of the glamorous event. They include John Kani, Jerry Mofokeng, Albert Ntombela and Leon Schuster.

Hopefully that has given you an appetite for some good old home-cooked content - get binging.

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ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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This episode we kick off with Reviews, looking at three shows currently on Netflix.

Monster - The Ed Gein Story - Season 4 of the anthology series about high-profile crimes or killers that captured public attention and notoriety. 

High Infidelity - Larissa finds out her husband is cheating on her with her colleague. She does the unexpected, forgives her husband and decides to team up with him to outsmart the colleague who's trying to destroy their marriage. But not everything is as it appears. 

Ruth & Boaz - a modern-day retelling of one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. A young woman escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had. 

While Gino was chatting to Brett Michael-Innes and Nick Ahlers for Showmax’s Khaki Fever, in a previous episode, they briefly touched on The Heart is a Muscle. Good news is, the film has been selected to represent SA at the Oscars. 

Sticking with silverware, Promax is about to grab the headlines, although this year, the ceremony will be online, which kinda takes the fun out of it all, and to wrap up, there are laughs a-plenty with a new show on Mzansi Magic, Fathers & Sons.

And as they say... That's all Folks!  

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Widely acclaimed for playing the title role in 2019's Fiela se Kind, Zenobia's credit list on IMDB is quite a scroll, including Unseen, Khaki Fever, Lucky Fish, Blood & Water and many more . She took time out to chat to Gino about moving from theatre to the screen, working on Fiela with our previous guest, Brett Michael Innes (Khaki Fever, Fiela se Kind), directing, the difficulty of playing the tragic Sarah Baartman, and her new movie Finding Optel.

The film tells the story of teenager Claire Abrahams, who runs a lost and found service where she locates anything and everything that has been misplaced. When the community dog, Optel goes missing, Claire must confront her brother’s painful disappearance to solve her biggest case yet.

Finding Optel hits our screens on Showmax on Friday, 24 October.

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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First up, some big news. Les Français sont ici! - the French are here! 

In a major shift in Africa’s entertainment landscape, following regulatory approval and realignments with local broadcasting laws, French media giant CANAL+ has officially completed its buy out of South Africa’s pay-TV leader, Multichoice. The deal marks one of the most significant foreign investments in South Africa’s media sector in recent years. 

Ster-Kinekor brings the stage to the silver screen: The cinema chain brings various theatrical productions to selected Cinema Nouveau venues. From the Met in New York, the National Theatre in London, with Cape Town Opera's AIDA thrown in too, you can now enjoy the theatre experience, at the movies.

In the review section, Gino looks at three Netflix offerings:

Beauty in Black S2 - Two women with contrasting lives become connected. One fights for survival after her mother forces her out while the other runs a prosperous company.

Rebel Royals - Follows Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett as they prepare for their controversial Norwegian wedding.

Beauty and the Bester - Did the renowned Dr Nandipha get embroiled in Thabo Bester's prison break? This chilling documentary series examines the enigmatic ties that bound them.

And, this just in - Multichoice has scooped 4 nominations for the International Emmys.

1. Chasing The Sun 2  covers the Springboks’ historic 4th Rugby World Cup victory)
2. School Ties directed by our former guest Richard Finn Gregory gets a nod for Best Documentary
3. Charlotte Hope from Catch Me A Killer is nominated for Best Actress in her portrayal of Micki Pistorius
4. And Koek gets a Best Drama series nomination.

We managed to grab reactions to the news from some of those involved in these outstanding productions - so listen to the very end.

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

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Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Director, Editor, Scriptwriter, Photographer, Voice Artist and Actor, Kagiso joined Gino, via a somewhat less than perfect internet Zoom call, to talk about his start in the industry and his constant drive to better his knowledge with frequent returns to places of learning. In 2014 he obtained an NQ5in Digital Filmmaking from the Big Fish School of Filmmaking. Kagiso also has a Degree in International Relations obtained from UNISA.

His list of acting roles is equally impressive, featuring in, among others, Neelan and Kevin, iNumber Number and Showmax’s most popular series ever The Wife.  His short film Entabeni recently won an award at the Durban International Film Festival. 

Kagiso is also a freelance Transmission Controller at Supersport and when he is not doing that he is busy running Canvus Productions, his film and television production company, offering full-service video production specializing in innovative afrocentric content.

Way to go!

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Gino got the chance to chat to the talent behind the drama’s dynamic casting, actress and casting director, Keneilwe Matidze. Keneilwe is no newcomer when it comes to Showmax Originals, as she cast Adulting, Outlaws, and Law, Love & Betrayal, among others.

In this episode she shares how things went down in putting together this energetic, authentic teen cast through Seasons 1 to 3, from the initial auditions to caring for the mental welfare of the actors on set. Not only that, Keneilwe also stars in the show as the vivacious Life Orientation teacher, Pearl.

On top of that, Keneilwe consults on and advises individuals in the industry on various legal matters ranging from contractual to labour law.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, there is the return of Soul City - watch this space... 

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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What's that, we hear you say! 

AVIJOZI is the brainchild of one Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt. After initially pursuing a career as a lawyer, Nosipho discovered her true calling was to apply her legal knowledge in a more artistic endeavor with her husband, Rob Van den Bragt, a visual effects supervisor. The couple co-founded Chocolate Tribe, the Johannesburg and Cape Town-based visual effects and animation studio that has done work for Netflix, BBC, Disney and Voltage Pictures. Nosipho chats to ACP about Chocolate Tribe and this year's AVIJOZI, happening this weekend. 

The event brings together local talent, global speakers, and high-impact creative energy, celebrating the fusion of creativity and technology. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an aspiring talent, or simply a curious enthusiast, AVIJOZI offers something for everyone. And what's more, entrance is free.

Find out more at AVIJOZI 2025 - Home

And don't forget to check out, like, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for past episodes of African Couch Potato. You know you want to.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Born in Zimbabwe and having lived and worked in Australia, the UK, and South Africa, Tendayi Nyeke's producing work has been nominated for South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) in multiple genres. Also, a former Writer's Guild of SA council member, Tendayi has worked as a film and television executive on several award-winning shows and has written, produced, and directed television programs across South Africa's major broadcasters. 

Gino finds out what it was like to move around so much before settling in the US, and more importantly, what it will be like screening Loved Out in Zimbabwe.

Ten years in the making, Loved Out throws together a toxic frenemy, a high-stakes cooking competition, a shady preacher, and a kidnapped mom in an unapologetic blend of humour, social commentary, and African city glam. Catch it on the silver screen from September 26.

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Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
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Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Following last weeks chat with the writers/producers of Khaki Fever, it seems only right for Gino to talk to the lady behind the actors. Just how difficult was it finding actors who could do nudity but could also do comedy - not as easy as you might think.

From exploratory casting for Harry Potter, looking for the beautiful Helen of Troy for Trojan War as well as two James Bond movies, to winning an Emmy for African Queen, Njinga, Christa has a string of credits to her name as long as your arm. 

In this delightful chat, Christa takes Gino from her days as a Dance and Drama teacher at Primary school level to being an accredited member of both the Casting Society of America (CSA) and the International Casting Directors' Network (ICDN).

Look out for her interesting little Harry Potter anecdote.

"For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own."

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Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Just days before it debuts at kykNet's Silwerskerm, Gino joins the writing/production team and real-life couple Brett Michael Innes and Nick Ahlers via Zoom, to talk about Showmax's new raunchy bush romp Khaki Fever.

Set in a game lodge with more sexual tension than a high-school romance, Khaki Fever follows a group of buff game rangers who set up a season-long challenge: whoever manages to nail the most tourists wins the title of “King of Khaki” and the losers’ combined tips. 

The film is packed with chaos, nudity, wit, and heartfelt friendships, held together by a powerhouse cast including Christopher Jaftha, Anja Taljaard, Trix Vivier, Liam Bosman, and Ilse Klink, plus a scene-stealing French bulldog named Chardonnay. Many of the actors are 2025 Silwerskerm Festival nominees, and their chemistry is evident both on and off screen.

To get the most out of your bird watching, Khaki Fever streams on Showmax from Friday, 5 September. 

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel at African Couch Potato 

And get on to our WhatsApp channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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We are making it even easier to get your Couch Potato fix. We are now happening on YouTube, and you can get real-time updates and reviews as they happen on our brand new WhatsApp channel. Look out for Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews.

Local news sees the launch of a brand new family intervention show where family members confront each other about underlying issues that have caused a rift in the fam. Watch out for fireworks!

On to some reviews, as Gino looks at:

Marked - A religious former police officer plans a bold robbery with a sinister ally to fund her daughter's crucial operation. 

Longest Third Date - When Matt and Khani match on Hinge, sparks fly. They spontaneously fly to Costa Rica for their third date - and get stuck as the world shuts down in March 2020. An extended stay in paradise becomes the ultimate test of compatibility. 

Trainwreck Storm Area 51 - A viral Facebook event to storm Area 51 draws millions of signups, prompting military warnings. As memes spread about Naruto-running past bullets, UFO hunters and internet personalities converge for what could be a desert party or clash.

And that's it. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel at African Couch Potato (give us a day or two to upload the last 2 years worth of eps)

And get on to our WhatsApp channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews

No excuses for not listening now! 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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ACP caught up with the festival's director, Sivuyiswe Giba, over Zoom, about the what, why, where and when, as well as her own motivation for the event. 

Sivu is a multi-talented, award-winning film director, producer, and co-founder of SivuBuhle Media. With over a decade of experience in South Africa’s film industry, she has worked on international productions like Mad Max: Fury Road, Black Sails, and Kaalgat Karel, and has produced her own acclaimed documentary uHadi featuring the legendary Dr. Latozi Madosini Mpahleni.

The Cultured Roots Film Festival is happening from 4 to 8 September. expect powerful film screenings, exciting live performances, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspiring masterclasses. Get more  info on their FaceBook page.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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JP is busy studying at the Central China Normal University (CCNU) in Wuhan in Central China, where he is one of an international student population of about 700, spread across various disciplines.

He started the Sangyin Podcast in August 2022, with the goal of becoming a platform for the African diaspora to share their stories with the world. The podcast has grown to became one of the leading African diaspora podcasts in the world and the largest African podcast in China.

In the ep, JP talks about the difficulties he faces as a Ugandan podcaster working within the Chinese online eco-system, dealing with guests, and his predictions for the future of podcasts.

The name “Sangyin,” means “voice” in Mandarin.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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In 1995, journalist Tamsen de Beer was working the night shift at The Star newspaper when she got a call from someone claiming to be South Africa’s most prolific serial killer, a man who would go on to be convicted of killing nearly 40 women in the space of just over a year. Today, that man is serving 2 410 years in prison. 

The story of Moses Sithole is told in a brand new three-part true crime documentary series on Showmax, directed by Jasyn Howes, nominated for a SAFTA for his documentary of another Mzansi serial killer, Boetie Boer.

In this episode Gino chats to the multi-award winning director about The ABC Killer series, its effect on him, as well as the fascinating range of people involved, from "Charlie" who knew Sithole in prison to Nelson Mandela, and his personal involvment in the case. 

Don't miss this chilling series, streaming on Showmax.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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God’s Work - Set on the streets of Durban, where absurdity and hope walk hand-in-hand, God's Work is a surreal journey into the lives of four homeless friends who face a daily struggle to exist.

Real Housewives of Durban Reunion Part 2 - Your thoughts on the latest crop.

Trainwreck: The Real Project X - A Dutch teen's accidental public Facebook party invite goes viral, inspired by the Project X movie. Thousands RSVP. Officials ignore warnings. With no entertainment planned, arriving crowds in Haren turn to rioting.

Brick - A couple whose apartment building is suddenly surrounded by a mysterious brick wall must work with their neighbors to find a way out.

And the South African Department of Home Affairs is introducing two new digital visa schemes  called “Stages” and “Meets”. STAGES is short for Screen Talent And Global Entertainment Scheme. And MEETS is short for Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme.  

Join in and send us your thoughts and opinions on anything we get to chat about right here on ACP, still the #1 Film and Television podcast in South Africa according to Feedspot.com 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Season 5 of the Real Housewives of Durban came to an end last month and next up is The Reunion. From there we head in a direction we bet you never imagined - K-Drama in isiZulu. Yep, it's a thing!

 Finally, a couple of reviews:

• The Old Guard 2 - Andy leads immortal warriors against a powerful enemy threatening their group. They grapple with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal, complicating their mission to safeguard humanity.
• Squid games S3 - the South Korean dystopian survival thriller horror television series returns. 

And that's it as we kick off season 3. Happy binging!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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With a CV that most performers would die for, Bella recently made waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, further nailing her status as a talent to keep an eye on.

ACP chatted to this young superstar-in-the-making about how it all started, how she manages school and work, and what it's like being on set at such a young age.

Bella’s screen prowess is already out there, having starred in Paramount’s The Infernal Machine alongside Guy Pearce, and her upcoming lead role in I Hate Pirates for Amazon Prime, slated for release later this year, promises to further seal the deal.

Beyond the silver screen, Bella is already a recognized face in the world of fashion, having led campaigns for DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, and Sonia Rykiel Paris, gracing the runways of Paris and London Fashion Weeks.

Bella says proudly, “South Africa is full of creativity, resilience, and brilliance—and I carry that with me. I’m so proud to be part of a generation that’s redefining what South African talent looks like on a global stage. I never forget where I come from. I carry it everywhere.”

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Next up, find out how Jo'Burg born 15 year old Bella Alexandras is smashing it in Hollywood.

Back to the subject of cinemas - here's a look at what's happening locally on the Silver Screen:

1. The Life of Chuck - A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King's novella.
2. Ballerina - An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.
3. Materialists - A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.
4. How to Train Your Dragon - As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike.
5. Elio - A space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.
6. Bride Hard - When a mercenary group takes a lavish wedding hostage, they have no idea what they are in for as the maid of honor is actually a secret agent ready to rain hellfire upon anyone who would ruin her best friend's wedding.
7. M3GAN 2.0 - Two years after M3GAN's rampage, her creator, Gemma, resorts to resurrecting her infamous creation.
8. F1 - A Formula One driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver.

Too much effort? too much cold? Here's a selection that you can grab from the comfort of your own couch:

1. Straw - A single mother navigates a series of unfortunate events, leading her down an unforeseen path where she becomes embroiled in a situation she never envisioned, finding herself at the center of suspicion in an indifferent world.
2. Mountainhead - Four friends reunite during worldwide economic turmoil.
3. A Working Man with Jason Statham (Prime)
4. The Accountant 2 (Prime)
5. Talk To Me (Showmax)
6. Ouija (Prime)
7. Trainwreck Astroworld Tragedy (Netflix)
8. Die Hart 2 (Prime)
9. Shaka ILembe (DStv Now)
10. Breekpunt (Showmax)
11. Monster Hunter (Netflix)

And lastly, for more, check us out at Letterboxd.com, the social network for film lovers.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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The animated series is adapted from Nigerian creator Roye Okupe’s popular graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics, the powerhouse behind The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy comics. After its US launch Iyanu ranked as the #1 series on Cartoon Network . 

With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of superhero and fantasy stories inspired by African history, culture and mythology. With the second season set to premiere in 2026 and more stories on the horizon, Iyanu is well on its way to becoming a defining franchise in modern animation.

Battling time differences, Gino managed to nail down a brief online 30 minutes with Roye in Maryland in the US. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is an award-winning filmmaker, author, speaker and entrepreneur whose passion for comics and animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2015, an avenue that would allow him to pursue his dream of creating a diverse library of superheroes. Roye chats about what got him going, his move to the States and what keeps him busy.

Season 1 of Iyanu is now available to binge on Showmax.

Screenrant hails it as “The Last Airbender and Black Panther hybrid you didn’t know you needed.” 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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During his three-year diploma in motion picture production at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Mpho wrote a short thriller called Final Girl, which earned him the distinction of Best Achievement in Scriptwriting at the TUT Film Awards. After a stint as a freelance writer on popular soapie Uzalo, Mpho completed the prestigious Longhope TV writing residency and has recently been offered an internship with Bomb Shelter where he will be working with the team on Shaka Ilembe.

He is looking forward to collaborating with fellow creatives and aims to become one of South Africa’s leading showrunners, bringing compelling stories to life on screen. 

Back to the Christmas slasher... are SA audiences ready for a local sleigh fest? 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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ACP was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Presley Chweneyagae, who shot to fame with the Oscar winning movie Tsotsi. 

Gino took his kids to the cinema and asks the question, "What is the future of cinemas?" Rising costs and only a handful of family titles due for release  over the next few months make it difficult not to stay home and enjoy the streamers.

Shaka Ilembe season 2 is about to hit our screens, so now is a good time to catch up with all of season 1, available on Showmax. 

In our review section, Gino looks at the new dramedy Sirens on Netflix, plus some upcoming titles to look out for. He then rolls back the years to 2016 with a look at Me Before You, starring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), on Prime Video

And the award? The trophy that just arrived was from our win last year for the Best Lifestyle and Entertainment Category in the African Podcast and Voice Awards, and this was against fellow podcasters from across the continent - which is what we stand for here on ACP, African excellence.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Award-winning actor and filmmaker, Brandon, is best known for his roles on Elysium, District 9, Chappie and popular soapie, Isidingo. He has called on Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, to use Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs on films made outside the US as an opportunity to invest in the local film industry.

Gino caught up with Brandon for a Zoom chat about how building up our film industry would benefit not just local actors and crews, but whole communities. 

“I’m a firm believer in that when the door is closed, jump through the window,” says Brandon.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Do you remember those great TV ads that used to grab the nations attention when they dropped? The ones that became part of everyday conversation. ACP looks at how social media and the instant gratification generation have made them "meh". 

Tyler Perry’s star continues to rise in Gino's eyes as we await the June launch of his latest offering, "Divorced Sistas".

And the reviews:

Gladiator II - swords and sandals action in the long awaited follow up to Ridley Scott's original. After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Battle Camp - Netflix reality stars battle in a remote camp where a spinning wheel determines elimination. Through physical trials, harsh punishments, and social gameplay, competitors fight to stay off the wheel and win $250,000.

And Mzanzi Magic's reality dating show, The Catch, makes its streaming debut on Showmax.

That should keep you warm as the temperatures get ready to fall.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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We also give you the lowdown on a handfull of shows on the streamers as well as the launch of a brand new series.  

Trouble - Conny, a divorced salesman, gets wrongfully imprisoned for murder. There, he meets criminals who mistake him for a pilot like his ex-wife's new boyfriend. Chaos ensues as he navigates life behind bars while separated from his daughter. 

The Diamond Heist - In 2000, a group of London criminals plan an audacious heist: ram-raid the Millennium Dome, steal diamond and escape by boat on the Thames, but the police are surveilling them.

Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kid Influencing - A revealing look into YouTube star Piper Rockelle's world, her relationship with her manager-mother Tiffany Smith, and the untold stories of past collaborators who were part of her content-creating team.

iHostage - When a gunman enters an Apple Store in the heart of Amsterdam, the police face a delicate challenge to resolve the standoff. Based on true events.

Life With Felix - A new reality show coming to Mzanzi Magic. The show follows Felix and his family, his friends and colleagues and basically gives us a glimpse into the chaotic life of Durban’s funniest man.

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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Jordy is a two-time South African Film and TV Award-winning Director, Screenwriter and Producer known for his feature documentary I Am Here, which won the Best South African Documentary Award at the Durban International Film Festival (2021). Die Kwiksilwers is his directorial narrative feature debut. 

Gabriella is also an award winner. She is a producer, director, and writer who focuses on stories that break stigmas. She produced the 3x SAFTA winning feature documentary I Am Here and the award-winning short Leemtes en Leegheid. She produced and co-wrote Die Kwiksilwers.

Filled with "heart and humour", Die Kwiksilwers follows the adventures of Elsabe Marais, an elderly widow and her three geriatric friends, who embark on a hilarious road trip across the Karoo to be at a meteor shower viewing in Sutherland. With only three days to get there, they speed away from her overprotective son, who is hot on their tail. 

Pile into the Ford Granada and head for the cinema from May 1st to catch Die Kwiksilwers on the silver screen. 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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In this ep Gino gets to find out, as he chats to Stunt Coordinator Darrell McLean. 

In March this year, Netflix's One Piece Live Action grabbed two major awards at the Children and Family Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Original Song for a Children’s or Young Teen Program” and “Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Live Program”. One Piece was actually nominated in 11 categories and was up against Percy Jackson, Spiderwick and Sesame Street. Not bad going!

One Piece is an action adventure that tells the story of a young boy, Monkey D Luffy, who dreams of becoming King of the Pirates. One Piece Live Action is based on the manga series written and illustrated by celebrated manga artist Eiichiro Oda. 

For Darrell, the world of pirates is nothing new, as he spent several years working on Black Sails and is now back on board having just finished shooting Season 2 of One Piece. Catch Season 1 streaming on Netflix.

But, what is it like to win an Emmy?

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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1. Local podcasts got a boost as DStv put 8 of the top local shows on the DStv bouquets.
2. Kwa-Tsholo launched on Mzanzi Magic, drama and comedy weaved together in the world of hairdressing.
3. Local production A Kind of Madness hits the silver screen at Nu Metro
4. One Piece, a live manga shot in Cape Town bagged not one but two Emmys. Hats off to them!
5. Million Dollar Secret, a new game show where one player starts with $1 million, while 11 others engage in a countrywide pursuit to track and capture them, hoping to claim the cash prize for themselves. On Netflix.
6. The National Film and Video Foundation has appointed Vincent Blennies as its new CEO while the SABC has brought Ongeziwe “Oz” Lupuwana on board as Head of Integrated Marketing.   

That should keep you going for a while. Sit back, feet up and keep on bingeing.

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WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

African Couch Potato managed to grab a few minutes out of Andile's busy schedule to chat about the guild and its place alongside international institutions like the Directors Guild of America, the New York Film Academy, and Stage 32, providing members with exclusive benefits such as educational programmes and skills development training.

Currently ranked in the top 25 TVC Directors by Creative Pool, Andile Sinqoto has almost two decades of experience in numerous fields of flm and television production. He is now the Chairperson of the Independent Directors Association Africa, as well as the Directors Guild of South Africa. 

Founded in 2024 and representing all directors within the profession ranging from directors of photography, assistant directors, creative directors, and directors’ assistants, the DGSA already boasts a membership of over 40 of South Africa’s most influential directors.

“Directors are the heart and soul of South African storytelling, yet our contributions often go underappreciated in industry negotiations and policy discussions,” says Andile.

https://dgosa.org.za

https://creativepool.com/

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WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Gino gets to chat, via Zoom, with series director Richard Finn Gregory. 

This was the last man to film Nelson Mandela in a private setting before he passed away…

He has won 2 SAFTAs and been nominated for 3…

He then led the SAFTA judging for multiple years…

He has a Medal of Honour from the South African Academy of Sciences and Arts…

He attended film school in Barcelona…

He has a Masters degree in scriptwriting and directing…

And the 2022 release of his Showmax Original, Steinheist, broke records for the most views on the first day for a docu-series. With the last two episodes fresh on the streaming platform, it was a great time to talk to the "Silver Fox". 

You'll have to listen to find out!

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Yalezo is an acclaimed director and producer, known for his ability to capture the essence of contemporary African culture. His expertise covers many genres, including comedy, documentary, and social commentary, with standout projects like Afriquan Film Conversations and the Bubbling Culture documentary series. Through his production company, Enraptured Odyssey, he has developed a range of film and web-series projects that celebrate African storytelling, challenge industry norms, and push the boundaries of digital content creation.

The recent BAI's Heatseekers Film Showcase presented a top showcase of South African short films and digital content created by trailblazing local youth filmmakers and digital voices. 

Through his unique vision and dynamic projects, Yalezo continues to inspire and captivate audiences, and make a significant impact in the creative world.

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Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
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gino.arlechino@gmail.com

WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

In Kenya and Tanzania, families living in extreme or absolute poverty have high rates of malnutrition and maternal death and usually cannot afford school fees for all their children or medical care. When a mother passes in childbirth, her baby is at great risk of dying, also, so extended families often surrender that baby to an orphanage because they cannot afford formula. 

Kulea Villages helps keep families together even if the mother has passed. We provide crisis support immediately (infant formula and food for the family) and work through holistic support to help families escape the endless cycle of poverty. Our two programs, Child Sponsorship and Maisha Matters, provide assistance which focuses on the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual well-being of the caregiver(s) of each enrolled baby or child. We extend mentorship to the caregiver by enabling them to start and run their own small business. After a child or baby has been in our program for 1 - 2 years and is leaving, our hope is to have a healthy baby or child whose needs are met consistently through the small business run by their mother or relative who now has confidence in his/her ability to earn a living and to raise children.

Gino managed to get some chat time, via Zoom, with Deborah Brown Magaya, Executive Director of Kulea Childcare Villages, from her offices in Tanzania.

If you want to know more about Kulea Childcare Villages or help in any way contact them through their website kuleavillages.org.

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Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
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gino.arlechino@gmail.com

WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

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Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

We kick off with a plan to cover the cost of the national broadcaster, the SABC, by bringing in a levy on streaming services. Unless you have a TV licence, of course!

Part 2 of Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black has dropped, so Netflix and... whatever you get up to.

Elon Musk is sulking because SA won't change the country's laws for his Starlink. 

Sadly, popular comedian and actor Ebenhaazer Dibakwane has passed away.

And Multichoice Nigeria is once more in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Now for some us time: We are proud to be part of the global event, Podcasthon 2025, uniting thousands of podcasts from around the world, all dedicated to supporting charitable causes. We are still No. 1 Film and TV podcast in the country, according to Feedspot.com, and  a New York publicist has been in touch. . .

Feet up and get binging!

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Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
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gino.arlechino@gmail.com

WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 

https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 

Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

This Naledi Theatre Award Nominee began her training as a Triple Threat at the tender age of six and has never looked back. She finished Matric at the National School of The Arts, specialising in Classical Music and completed her BTech degree in Musical Theatre at Tshwane University of Technology in 2015. From stage to the small screen Kanyi has consistently pushed the boundaries.

In conversation Kanyi reveals how attending the National School of the Arts in high school mean she had to catch buses in Hillbrow. The pimps at her bus stop used to look out for her and she became well-acquainted with them and with the prostitutes as well. "That gave me a front-row seat to the realities of sex work."

So, get comfotable in your own front-row seat, as all the episodes for Soft Life are ready to binge-watch on Showmax.

African Couch Potato is now on Patreon, so you can go check us out, support us and even give a donation so we can continue doing what we love the most. https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 

We are also officially part of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA).

We are currently in the top 50 on the 100 Best South Africa Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025 

And no. 1 on the 10 Best South Africa Movies Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025   

Yes? No? Send us a text

Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
x.com/africancouchpot
gino.arlechino@gmail.com

WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 

YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 

https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 

Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7

© SANTE MEDIA 2026