South Africa / 2005 / 15mins / Documentary / English and Zulu

Heterosexism is the assumption that an audience is heterosexual. This considered documentary accuses South Africa’s media of repeatedly and consciously delivering gay issues and stories in a negative fashion. When there is a gay connection, responsible reporting gives way to scandal; be it Brenda Fassie’s artistic choices, Mokoena’s lobola payment or Professor Papo’s murder. Seeking answers, Dlamini interviews artists and reporters presenting the facts behind the homophobic drama.

Phybia Dlamini

A graduate of the Newtown Film and Television School, Phybia Dlamini is a South African director, documentary filmmaker, film editor, photographer and activist who worked in television, film and NGOs that addressed many social issues. Her films (Outlaw Culture, Cape Town, Mosadi Wa Rasta, Africa Rising, Morning After, A Kind of Language) have been shown both at local and international festivals. She has also worked on films made by her South African colleagues, Zola Maseko (Drum) and Dumisani Phakathi (Waiting for Valdez). In addition, she has worked on a wide variety of television programs. As a founding member of Movement 76, she also facilitated “skills exchange workshops” where young people who were interested in film and video came together to share with the less fortunate. Learn More