South Africa / 2014 / 89mins / Documentary / English, Afrikaans and Zulu

This documentary spotlights the changing political climate of South Africa, where a revolution is taking place as artists, musicians and designers tackle issues of politics, race and history. This newest film by director Petter Ringbom follows some of the most recognized artists in South Africa today, exploring what it means to live and work in the new democracy. Artist Brett Murray’s painted caricature of South African president Jacob Zuma results in a lawsuit and death threats. Photographer and activist Zanele Muholi’s work exposes hate crimes in the LGBT community. The Smarteez design collective creates international styles while running a free after-school program for kids. Musician Xander Ferreira of Gazelle parades on stage as a character based on an archetypal African dictator. Shield and Spear presents intimate stories about the artists, art, music, identity, race and freedom of expression in South Africa 20 years into democracy.

Petter Ringbom

Petter Ringbom is a New York-based director of documentary and narrative films. His debut feature documentary, The Russian Winter, a film about American musician John Forté, premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in 2012 and screened at IDFA, Moscow International Film Festival, and Gothenburg International Film Festival. His short film May Fly premiered at Stockholm International Film Festival and screened at festivals around the world. Ringbom's video collaboration with the artist Karl Haendel, Questions for My Father, has been shown at Harris Lieberman Gallery, Susanne Vielmetter Projects, Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts, Wexner Center for the Arts, and was selected for the Art Video program at Art Basel Miami in 2012. After studying at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York, Ringbom partnered in the creative agency Flat, where he served as an art director for clients like MoMA, Red Cross and Knoll. He has taught at Parsons School of Design and New York University and served on the board of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Learn More