This is National Wake (2022)
National Wake emerged in the late 1970s with anti-establishment ideals and a punk rock sound that won them a massive following within Johannesburg’s underground club scene. Their first and only record was banned by the country’s racist legal system and within a few years the group had disbanded. The two black members, brothers Punka and Gary Khoza, subsequently died tragically young. Eschewing talking heads for a dazzling audio-visual archive, including some great Super-8 footage, debut director Neff has forged a visceral portrait of a dissident group who were dedicated to the fight for racial freedom – a punk legacy that lives on through the band’s legend and its fans.
Director: Mirissa Neff
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Gary Khoza as Self |
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Punka Khoza as Self |
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Ivan Kadey as Self |
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Steve Moni as Self |
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Mike Lebese as Self |
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Paul Giraud as Self |
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Jules Sandler as Self |
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Kelly Petlane as Self |
| Directing | Mirissa Neff | Director |