'F1', 'Jungle Beat 2' and the last 'Squid Game' hit screens
This week's Spotlight takes a closer look at the Brad Pitt film F1: The Movie, the talent and success behind South Africa's Jungle Beat 2: The Past and the final season of the Squid Game phenomenon.
The popular and beloved TV series with Munki and Trunk creates the backdrop for animated cinema sequel Jungle Beat 2: The Past. Trunk gets sucked into a portal and travels back to the dinosaur age. He will need the help of new friends to make it home to Munki. Directed by Sam Wilson, the film features a mix of local and international voice talents including Rob van Vuuren, David Menkin and Ina Marie Smith. Look out for the interview with the creators of the film on their fun-filled journey with this franchise. Now at cinemas.
Sonny Hayes (Pitt) is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling F1 team, mentoring a young hot-headed driver while chasing one more chance at glory. F1: The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion) and stars Damson Idris, Javier Bardem and Lewis Hamilton. Feel the speed and the adrenaline rush at cinemas, IMAX, D-Box and 4DX.
Let the final games begin! The third and final season of the record-breaking, award-winning Squid Game has arrived and is streaming on Netflix. Season 3 continues with Seong GI-hun's mission to take down the deadly game from within. Returning with director Hwang Dong-hyuk and cast Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun. Look out for the interviews Spotlight had with the cast and director.
For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies.
Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.
Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.
Competition and giveaways
Win big with Spotlight! Answer a question to win a Jungle Beat 2: The Past movie merchandise hamper. Or win a F1: The Movie merchandise hamper by answering a question.
For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by July 4.
Terms and conditions apply.
Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
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F1: The Movie brings high-speed thrills to the big screen
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This is undoubtedly a technically stunning film. However, the movie's push for authenticity is also what lets it down in many places. To be clear, there is a lot one could nitpick here, especially for a passionate F1 fan: there are moments where remaining faithful to regulations and rules of engagement has been abandoned in favour of drama and suspense, and that is to be expected in any Hollywood film. But the decision to film alongside real race teams and drivers blurs the lines between fact and fiction, and can take the viewer out of the experience when paired with the unrealistic moments mentioned above. It also lets the plot down: of course, Formula 1 drivers are not actors, and they aren't expected to be. This results in very little tension in the racing scenes, as viewers cannot be introduced to the rivalry between competitors that is fundamental to the sport and, by extension, any racing movie. One can forgive this lack of developed secondary characters due to the filmmakers' deliberate choice to favour authenticity. However, there isn't much character development for the stars of the film, either. Pitt plays a charismatic and driven driver who has been at the heights of racing fame and fallen to its lowest lows. He is a complicated character who takes massive risks, on and off the track, yet his motivations for being a driver remain elusive. Sonny will eventually admit that he is 'chasing that moment of peace… where everything goes quiet' and he is one with the car, but outside of that one line of script, viewers will be hard-pressed to understand what makes him want to be a racing driver. Joshua Pearce's story is similarly surface-level. Sonny's rookie teammate is portrayed as young and cocky, and while he undergoes some personal development in the course of the film, his storyline never digs deep into his passions, desires or drives. 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From coop to cinema: Phil and Jacqui Cunningham's inspiring animation journey with 'Jungle Beat 2: The Past'
The delightful animated characters in the movie, 'Jungle Beat 2: The Past'. Image: Supplied Several years ago, an itch to take kiddies' storytelling further saw Phil Cunningham and his wife Jacqui make an interesting leap into film-making from chicken farming. It was on the back of the release of Phil's children's book, "The Legend of the Sky Kingdom". This endeavour evolved significantly when he and his wife established Sunrise Animation Studios. Their debut project was Africa's inaugural feature-length animated film, rendered in 3D motion style, based on Phil's book. What was remarkable about this undertaking was that it was based on puppets and a set design made out of trash sourced from a scrapyard closeby to their office. In doing so, they pioneered an animation style known as junkmation. The film was screened at festivals all over the world, and it led to the couple embarking on 'Jungle Beat', a 13-episode series created by Brent Dawes. It ended up running for eight seasons and fuelled two other spinoffs, 'Munki and Trunk' and Jungle Beat Explorers'. 'Jungle Beat' found a new home on YouTube when the TV deals ran out, and, based on it exceeding 10 million subscribers, led to the release of 'Jungle Beat: The Movie", which was shown on Netflix when the pandemic struck. Several years later, the husband and wife duo have dropped the sequel, "Jungle Beat 2: The Past", which was released on the big screen on June 27. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Film-maker and passionate storyteller, Phil Cunningham. Image: Supplied In a quick chat with Phil, he unpacked the journey. 'It's such a rewarding and exciting moment for everyone who has been part of this journey. We wrapped production on the first movie just as the pandemic swept across the world, and the cinema release plans in most of the 30 countries where we had signed were scuppered. 'The movie still found an amazing audience on streaming platforms, but it's really special to see 'Jungle Beat 2: The Past' going to the big screen.' On the shift from chicken farming to filmmaking, Phil explained: 'I grew up with a deep love for storytelling from early childhood, and my upbringing in Zimbabwe was filled with larger-than-life characters and incredible stories. 'My first experience of a movie in a cinema was when I was 14 years old, so it was a late introduction, but I was so impacted by the power of film as the most effective story medium of our generation. I initially built a business in the agricultural industry, but was always writing and sketching and had a very clear sense that film-making and storytelling were what I was born for. 'Fortunately, my wife is one of the most courageous, adventurous people I know, and she played a major role in encouraging me that life is too short not to pursue our greatest passions.' Unpacking the key aspects in making an animated feature, he noted: 'Our mission statement is to inspire through story, and I think that a story worth telling is the most important aspect of making any film. 'On that foundation, I think animation production is an incredible, integral team effort, where the collaboration and trust between each artist and department are so important. 'It's been such a joy to work with the extraordinary team we had on 'Jungle Beat 2: The Past'. Our production timeframe was just over two years, which was accelerated through having so many of our character models and other assets already created from the first movie. 'However, my initial idea of a nice, efficient sequel process was disrupted by the imagination of our director and writer, Sam Wilson, whose inspiration brought dinosaurs, time travel and a whole new Jurassic world into play!' He added: 'The film is a joyful, wholesome celebration of loyalty and friendship, and I think these themes are carried by a really exciting, funny story and group of characters. I think families will share a lot of laughs and leave feeling uplifted.' Phil revealed that there are plans to also release the movie worldwide. ∎ 'Jungle Beat 2: The Past' is showing at cinemas nationwide.
