041Animation columnist Faziela Harris-Davids looks at locally produced animation in honour of Heritage Month.
WITH Heritage Day on our doorstep, it is only fitting that this week’s Animation column brings to light some amazing animation films made right here on the shores of South Africa.
Living in such a vibrant country, this is reflected in the animation style and the artistic approach of each film.
First up we have Adventures in Zambezia, which was theatrically released on 3 July 2012 by Cinema Management Group and Sony Pictures Entertainment, a product of the popular Triggerfish Animation Studios.
It follows the story of Kai, a peregrine falcon, as he comes of age to adventure the world, but is stopped by his rather strict father Tendai. As he is forbidden from leaving the Katungu grasslands, he is even more determined when a misfit bunch of birds lands in his nest. He then learns about Zambezia, a majestic Baobab perched on the edge of Victoria Falls. A magical city with birds from all over the world.
With a stunning cast, including the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and the beautiful vocals of Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground, it is no wonder it earned the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Animation.
Next up we have a firm favourite in our home, Khumba, released in cinemas in South Africa on 25 October 2013, another Triggerfish Animation Studio production in collaboration with Spier Films.
Khumba is a half-striped zebra in the Great Karoo, who is constantly picked on and considered a curse and the reason for the great drought affecting the Karoo. He meets a mystical mantis who shows him the way to find water. On his journey, he meets an array of characters, an African Wild dog named Skalk, a wildebeest named Mama V, and many other animals.
My absolute favourite scene is when he meets the Springboks, as they are based on our national rugby team, and have to scrum to get through the fence. My children don’t quite understand why this leaves me in stitches every single time.
The cast boasts the likes of Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Jake T. Austin, and great South African comedians Nik Rabinowitz and Rob Van Vuuren.
Not forgetting winning multiple awards, such as Best Animation at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, Best Animation at the African Movie Academy Awards, Best Music Composition of a Feature Film and Best Animation at the 2014 SAFTA’s, but also Best Overseas Animated Feature and Grand Prize for Animation at the Gold Panda Awards in 2014.
Lastly, we have Seal Team, another Triggerfish Animation Studio film released on 31 December 2021, making this the third feature film instalment for the production house.
An animal military unit called HMMF (Hydro Marine Military Force) are deployed by their human supervisors to defuse a naval mine near the Cape of Storms. Things go drastically wrong and the mine explodes, damaging a portion of the ship and causing it to shipwreck close to the rocks. While the team disbands, Claggart, the seal responsible for cutting the wrong wires, stays behind and isolates himself as his tags float to Seal Island, where a colony of seals lives. A young pup named Quinn finds his tags and a new adventure ensues!
As a Capetonian, it is so amazing to see how well they captured Cape Town in its essence, from the harbour to the V & A Waterfront, Triggerfish did not disappoint.
With a star-studded cast, of J.K Simmons, Patrick Warburton, Dolph Lundren and South Africa’s very own, Sharlto Copley, the story is fun and charming at best.
Now all we patiently wait for is its awards to come in.
Oh, and did I forget to mention they launched two amazing graphic novels this year as well? Look out for Pearl of the Sea and KARIBA, now available at most online retailers, and bookstores.
Faziela Harris-Davids (Administrative Head) is an amateur artist, book enthusiast, and lover of all things anime with great respect to the works of Hayao Miyazaki. For the past 3 years, she has been harnessing her creativity through her art, becoming an indie author while growing her small business which focuses on inclusive education. Her passion for research makes her a jack of all trades while her Facilities Management degree helps her keep 041’s administrative side running smoothly. (Instagram TikTok )
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