Comedy and anti-heroes on the big screen, and Helen Zille in the roast seat
Spotlight's episode this week features a new comedy thriller and Marvel Universe release at cinemas, and what promises to be the biggest African comedy festival in 2025.
When crime runs in the family and the cast includes Jennifer Coolidge and Bill Murray, you know it will also involve comedy. In Riff Raff, a former criminal is enjoying a normal life with his wife and son when his past catches up with him. He learns notorious gangsters are coming to get him. Satirical and absurd at times, Riff Raff co-stars Gabrielle Union, Ed Harris and Dustin Hoffman, and is on at cinemas.
Critics are hailing Thunderbolts as the best Marvel Cinematic Universe film in years. It is receiving praise for not shying away from themes of loneliness and depression. The movie — on at cinemas, IMAX and 3D — has a ragtag team of anti-heroes and is packed with loads of action, and centres on a group of reformed supervillains ensnared in a deadly mission forcing them to confront their dark past. Starring Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Wyatt Russell and David Harbour.
Good times are rolling with the arrival of the annual Laugh Africa Comedy Festival presented by Showmax. Anticipate a bolder line-up and expanded showcase featuring top comedic talent from across Africa and abroad at the Sandton Convention Centre from May 2 to 4. DA federal chair Helen Zille accepted the roast seat, and you can look forward to Felix Hlophe, Celeste Ntuli, Rob van Vuuren making sure there will be a laugh a minute.
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 giveaways
Spotlight has two giveaways this week. Answer a question to win double tickets to Showmax's Laugh Africa Comedy Festival. Entries close at 11pm on May 2.
Win a Thunderbolts movie merchandise hamper by answering a question. Competition close on May 7.
For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details.
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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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 ✕ To imply that South African Tamils are 'culture-less' is not just inaccurate; it is downright deeply disrespectful. Like Malaysia, South Africa's Indian community was forged through colonialism, indenture, and marginalisation. 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In Malaysia, Tamil food has absorbed Malay and Chinese influences: just look at roti canai, banana leaf rice, bold curries with coconut milk and heaps of noodles on the plate with almost every meal. In South Africa, Indian dishes are fused with local realities: bunny chow, tantalising mixed vegetable curries with madumbe, dried fish and boiled eggs, spicy tinned-fish, mutton, Cornish chicken or prawn biryani, fiery pickles, and curry powders that reflect both Indian heritage and South African necessity. Neither Malaysian Tamil or South African Tamil cuisine is more 'authentic'. They are both valid cultural expressions, shaped by context, by climate, colonialism, and community. To suggest South African food has lost its Tamil essence simply because it doesn't look like Malaysian Tamil cuisine is to miss the entire point of diaspora: we don't exist to mirror India or each other; we exist to remember through adaptation, Santhiram Sir. 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She holds an MA in dance from UCT, and a MA in Bharatha Natyam from the University of Madras. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
