John Kani
Also Known As: جان کانی
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Bonsile John Kani (born 1943) is a South African actor, director and playwright. He was born in New Brighton, South Africa. Kani joined The Serpent Players (a group of actors whose first performance was in the former snake pit of the zoo, hence the name) in Port Elizabeth in 1965 and helped to create many plays that went unpublished but were performed to a resounding reception. These were followed by the more famous Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island, co-written with Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona, in the early 1970s. He also received an Olivier nomination for his role in My Children My Africa! Kani's work has been widely performed around the world, including New York, where he and Winston Ntshona won a Tony Award in 1975 for Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and The Island. These two plays were presented in repertory at the Edison Theatre for a total of 52 performances. Nothing but the Truth (2002) was his debut as sole playwright and was first performed in the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. This play takes place in post-apartheid South Africa and does not concern the conflicts between whites and blacks, but the rift between blacks who stayed in South Africa to fight apartheid, and those who left only to return when the hated regime folded. It won the 2003 Fleur du Cap Awards for best actor and best new South African play. In the same year he was also awarded a special Obie award for his extraordinary contribution to theatre in the USA. Kani is executive trustee of the Market Theatre Foundation, founder and director of the Market Theatre Laboratory and chairman of the National Arts Council of SA. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Kani, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Birthday: November 30, 1943
Adult: No
Gender: Male
TMDb-Id: 51878
IMDb-Id: nm0434712
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Known For
The Ghost and the Darkness
Overview: Sir Robert Beaumont is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project's foreman, seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington, who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.
Genres: Adventure Action Thriller Horror History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-10-11
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Seal Team
Overview: After his best friend is killed in a shark attack, Quinn, a lovable yet tenacious seal assembles a SEAL TEAM to fight back against a gang of sharks overtaking the neighborhood. But this merry band of international seals are not at all trained for such a mission. They seek the help of a much more skillful combatant, Claggart, but even his tricks and flips can’t whip these guys into shape. However, with a little bit of ingenuity, intelligence and a lot of heart, our SEAL TEAM may actually be able to bring peace back to their undersea community.
Genres: Animation Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-10-28
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Marigolds in August
Overview: Marigolds in August was written by Athol Fugard, who in the early 1980s was South Africa's most celebrated playwright. Fugard's intense political opinions were enough for the USSR to object to Marigolds being shown in the 1980 Berlin Festival, but the objections were dropped when it was learned that Fugard had already built up a strong fan following in Eastern Europe (for various reasons, the film was not released in the US until 1984). Winston Ntshona stars as a black South African gardener who travels by foot into the white community looking for a job. Upon arriving, Ntshona discovers that another black, John Kani, may have been hired for that job. Ntshoa ruins the chances for himself and Kani by accusing the other man of planning a theft. Both men are eventually hired by a fellow outcast, a white poacher (played by Anthol Fugard himself). The message would seem to be that if the have-nots of the world stick together, it matters little how badly they're treated by the "haves."
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-12-31
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The Wild Geese
Overview: A British multinational company seeks to overthrow a vicious dictator in central Africa. It hires a band of (largely aged) mercenaries in London and sends them in to save the virtuous but imprisoned opposition leader who is also critically ill and due for execution. Just when the team has performed a perfect rescue, the multinational does a deal with the vicious dictator leaving the mercenary band to escape under their own steam and exact revenge.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-06-28
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A Sizwe Bansi Workshop
Overview: The play, Sizwe Bansi is Dead, follows the main character, Sizwe, as he writes to his wife after an unsuccessful search for a new job and better life for his family. This film places the viewer in the discussions between the writers of the play: Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona as they attempt to explain and re-write the play.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-01-01
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The Native Who Caused All the Trouble
Overview: True story of a man who believes God owns the earth and land cannot be owned by anyone, therefore he's at liberty to build his church on ground occupied by others.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-05-11
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Sarafina!
Overview: The plot centers on students involved in the Soweto Riots, in opposition to the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools. The stage version presents a school uprising similar to the Soweto uprising on June 16, 1976. A narrator introduces several characters among them the school girl activist Sarafina. Things get out of control when a policeman shoots several pupils in a classroom. Nevertheless, the musical ends with a cheerful farewell show of pupils leaving school, which takes most of act two. In the movie version Sarafina feels shame at her mother's (played by Miriam Makeba in the film) acceptance of her role as domestic servant in a white household in apartheid South Africa, and inspires her peers to rise up in protest, especially after her inspirational teacher, Mary Masombuka (played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film version) is imprisoned.
Genres: Music Drama Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-09-18
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White Lion
Overview: According to the legend of the Shangaan, white lions are the messengers of the gods, but it has been years since one has been seen in their remote African valley. When a white lion is miraculously born into that valley, a young Shangaan named Gisani, finds himself destined to protect this rare and magnificent creature at all costs. This young lion, whom will be known as Letsatsi, is cast from his pride and forced to embark upon a perilous journey of survival.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-02-19
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Murder Mystery 2
Overview: After starting their own detective agency, Nick and Audrey Spitz land a career-making case when their billionaire pal is kidnapped from his wedding.
Genres: Mystery Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-03-28
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The Bird Can't Fly
Overview: Melody returns to her old home to Fairlands the funeral of their daughter, June to attend. But Melody not recognize their city regains because it is almost entirely disappeared under tons of sand. She also learns that they have a 10-year-old grandson, River, has. Melody River will take into their new life, but this is fighting back. He wants to hatch the eggs of ostriches, which he has always fed with his mother. Rivers father, Scoop, a lazy musician and the man in the city post office, wants Melody leaves the city. Here are a lot of conflicts, to Melody learns the truth. But haunts as a sand storm the city, suddenly everything changes.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-01-03
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'Master Harold'... and the Boys
Overview: When Harold, a young white man, learns that his alcoholic, handicapped father is returning home, his frustration turns into racist viciousness against the two black men who work for the family.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-01-01
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The Space: Theatre of Survival
Overview: When everything about you falls one man decides that theatre is the key, and the way to begin to unify a people. A film about the life and times of The Space theatre (a.k.a. 'The Space', 'Die Ruimte' in Afrikaans, and 'Indawo' in Xhosa).
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-06-07
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In Darkest Hollywood: Cinema and Apartheid
Overview: A documentary overview and ideological critique of the South African film industry and cinema's historical relationship with apartheid.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-02-18
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The Grass Is Singing
Overview: In Southern Rhodesia in the 1940s, city-dweller Mary marries farmer Dick Turner and is plucked from the comforts of her cosmopolitan life and forced to live on his unsuccessful farm. Mary slowly goes insane and has a sexual affair with her black servant, Moses. When the affair is discovered, Mary asks Moses to leave the farm, but he returns and murders her.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-08-30
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Options
Overview: An MBA goes to Africa to make a deal, but comes out with a Princess.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-05-27
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The Man in the Mirror
Overview: Set in Zululand South Africa three Zulu men must re-awaken sleeping demons when Mpiyakhe, now a successful Johannesburg businessman, returns home. Under adversity they are compelled to make life changing choices.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: af
Release Date:
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Saturday Night at the Palace
Overview: South African drama set at a roadhouse in Apartheid.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-12-12
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Coriolanus
Overview: Caius Martius, aka Coriolanus, is an arrogant and fearsome general who has built a career on protecting Rome from its enemies. Pushed by his ambitious mother to seek the position of consul, Coriolanus is at odds with the masses and unpopular with certain colleagues. When a riot results in his expulsion from Rome, Coriolanus seeks out his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius. Together, the pair vow to destroy the great city.
Genres: Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-02-14
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An African Dream
Overview: An Englishwoman travels to South Africa in 1906.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-01
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Mufasa: The Lion King
Overview: Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.
Genres: Adventure Family Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-12-18
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Jail Caesar
Overview: The early life of Roman ruler Julius Caesar as told in three working prisons in South Africa, the UK and Canada. A small group of professional actors is joined by a cast of real-life inmates to tell the story of one of history's foremost personalities.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-06-28
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Captain America: Civil War
Overview: Following the events of Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man or Captain America, which causes an epic battle between former allies.
Genres: Adventure Action Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-04-27
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Endgame
Overview: The time is the late '80s, a crucial period in the history of South Africa. President P.W. Botha is hanging on to power by a thread as the African National Congress (ANC) takes up arms against apartheid and the country tumbles toward insurrection. A British mining concern is convinced that their interests would be better served in a stable South Africa and they quietly dispatch Michael Young, their head of public affairs, to open an unofficial dialogue between the bitter rivals. Assembling a reluctant yet brilliant team to pave the way to reconciliation by confronting obstacles that initially seem insurmountable, Young places his trust in ANC leader Thabo Mbeki and Afrikaner philosophy professor Willie Esterhuyse. It is their empathy that will ultimately serve as the catalyst for change by proving more powerful than the terrorist bombs that threaten to disrupt the peaceful dialogue.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-01-18
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Black Panther
Overview: King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T'Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia, the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan 'special forces') and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Genres: Action Adventure Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2018-02-13
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The Lion King
Overview: Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
Genres: Adventure Drama Family Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-07-12
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The Tichborne Claimant
Overview: Based on a true story, set in the late 19th century: Lord Tichborne, the ninth richest nobleman in England, disappears after a South American shipwreck. Some years later his erudite Afro-English valet, Bogle, is sent to investigate rumors that Tichborne survived and settled in Australia. An alcoholic ruffian answer's Bogle's inquiries claiming to be the lost heir. Bogle suspects fraud, but conspires with the claimant to split the inheritance should the latter succesfully pass himself off to friends, family and the courts. As the claimant returns to England to continue his charade, enough people confirm his identity to make both the claimant and Bogle believe that he just might be the rightful heir after all.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-08-01
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Murder Mystery
Overview: On a long-awaited trip to Europe, a New York City cop and his hairdresser wife scramble to solve a baffling murder aboard a billionaire's yacht.
Genres: Action Comedy Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-05-25
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Victims of Apartheid
Overview: George, a black South African, finds it hard to settle down in London after his experiences in South Africa.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-10-24
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Kini & Adams
Overview: Kini and Adams are two friends leaving in a Zimbabwe village who dream of repairing an old broken car, and moving to the city and starting life over.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-05-10
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Falls the Shadow: The Life and Times of Athol Fugard
Overview: Director Tony Palmer tells the incredible life story of Athol Fugard, the prolific playwright, novelist, and director who exposed the horrors of South Africa's apartheid system for the entire world to see. Interviews with Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Yvonne Bryceland and others help to illuminate Fugard's remarkable legacy.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-05-28
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A Dry White Season
Overview: During the 1976 Soweto uprising, a white school teacher's life and values are threatened when he asks questions about the death of a young black boy who died in police custody.
Genres: Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-09-20
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Nothing But The Truth
Overview: A South African librarian prepares for the return of the remains of his brother who died in exile.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-11-01
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How to Steal 2 Million
Overview: It's a jungle out there. That's how we meet our lead character Jack. It's been five years since he's seen his partner and best friend Twala. Jack did five years for a robbery gone bad. Twala never got caught and Jack never talked. But Twala is as treacherous as Jack is honourable. He's married Jack's former fiancée. Jack wants to go legit but after being rejected for a loan he needs a new source of capital. Twala presents him with an opportunity a job with a R2 million take. The complication is that the mark is Twala's father. Jacks partner for the job is the tough and sexy Olive. Little does he know she will prove to be more devious then his old friend.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: zu
Release Date: 2011-09-02
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Othello
Overview: After 400 years Shakespeare's great tragedy still has strong social and political relevance, and this celebrated production by leading actress and director Janet Suzman was momentous, as it was staged at South Africa's famous Market Theatre during the apartheid era. Tony Award-winning actor John Kani plays the title role.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-12-27
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Soweto Green
Overview: An American couple moves to Johannesburg after Nelson Mandela is elected president.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-01-01
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1994: The Bloody Miracle
Overview: As South Africa celebrates its 20th anniversary of the advent of democracy in 1994, it is difficult to believe the ‘Mandela miracle’ nearly didn’t happen. In an orgy of countrywide violence, some were intent on derailing the first free elections. Now, for the first time, those responsible for countless deaths and widespread mayhem explain how they nearly brought South Africa to its knees. 1994: The Bloody Miracle is a chilling look at what these hard men did to thwart democracy, and at how they have now made an uneasy peace with the ‘Rainbow Nation’ in their own different ways.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-01-01
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Sizwe Bansi is Dead
Overview: Two Black South Africans discover what it means to lose their passbooks, which they must carry yo prove their identity during the apartheid era
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-03-13
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Final Solution
Overview: The indoctrination of Gerrit Wolfaardt is complete: his family traditions, history, culture- even his church-have taught him that black South Africans are a cancer in the land. Under the eye of prominent members of the government and military, Gerrit develops a diabolical plan to rid South Africa of its "black danger." Before his plans can be carried out, he meets two people who will put him on a collision course with his future: Celeste, an open-minded University student, and Peter Lekota, a pastor who challenges Gerrit's prejudice. His "final solution" meets its greatest obstacle when Gerrit realizes he is wrong. The Persecutor becomes the Peacemaker and begins to seek reconciliation between whites and blacks. However, in the turbulent last days of apartheid, there are those who doubt his transformation. One such person is Moses Moremi, whom Gerrit had once violently attacked. In the end, it is Moses who must choose between peace and bloodshed.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-08-01
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Miss Julie
Overview: This version of August Strindberg's play from 1888 takes place in South Africa in the 1980s. The servant John is black and Miss Julie a white landowner's daughter.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-05-29
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