Arts and culture
Comedian Pieter-Dirk Uys celebrated in new documentary
The film looks at the over 100 performances around the world, with particular attention on his apartheid-era satire. He took his anti-establishment message to forefront of the country's dark political landscape while making all South Africans laugh at themselves. Uys is the only entertainer to win South Africa's prestigious Truth and Reconciliation Award. During his long career, Uys has enjoyed audiences with political figures such as former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pik Botha, former president Thabo Mbeki and Mandela too. He has also formed long friendships with fellow social justice warriors such as U2's frontman Bono, Mandela's widow Graça Machel and the late Hollywood actress, Elizabeth Taylor. "This film captures a man and a lifetime commitment to a country by using satire to affect change," Oelofsen told News24. The film also goes beyond Pieter-Dirk Uys the performer. It gets to know the man himself and what he thinks about a life spent in the limelight, drawing the ire of politicians and doing his best to change the world for the better. "I found it fascinating that after 50 years in the entertainment industry he was still working at the same pace and with the same vigour as when he started," Oelofsen said, "I believe audiences will be intrigued to experience more about the man who refuses to be silenced while using the arts as his weapon against discrimination and confronting intolerance." Popular online film critic duo, simply known as The Critics, call the film "an incredible South African experience". They recommend it as compulsory viewing for every South African. Watch their full review below: Durban film critic Fred Felton calls the film "deeply thought provoking, emotional, very funny." Watch a discussion between Uys and Oelofsen, recorded during Diff 2016. Source: SA People NewsSpice up your popcorn for Nobody's Died Laughing @numetro @numetrowoodland 29 JULY. Trailer https://t.co/rPkILTabaf pic.twitter.com/VBdrtn53KQ
— NobodysDiedLaughing (@whoEntProjects) July 12, 2016
Pieter Dirk Uys, pictured with his film idol Sophia Loren in the 1990s, has spent over 50 years making fun of politicians and making South Africans laugh. A new documentary celebrates his life and career. (Image: Facebook )
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