It is a serious, poignant, humorous, and uplifting universal documentary. It is filmed in Africa’s tallest residential building located downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, that housed more than 4000 people. It gives you an honest glimpse at the tragic reality of xenophobia through the eyes of people from every corner of Africa living under one roof. It also conveys a powerful message that through dialogue and understanding, respect starts to take root.
Nor is it another 'ag shame poor African story'. Using the simple setting of the lifts, the film allows the viewer to be a fly on the wall, and intimately interact face to face with Africa. It puts a human face to refugees and migrants that have traveled so far for a better life, in search of the “African dream”, in the continent’s most economically booming city, Johannesburg, South Africa. This film reveals the courage, heart, hope, beauty and stories of daily struggles of Africans from the rest of the continent living in South Africa today. It has a universal message, while it gets to the heart of life in South Africa and the African condition.
A must see for anyone interested in Africa.
Above you will find every African flag, in alphabetical order, on the Ponte windows. A fun exercise to test your knowledge of Africa.
A story of African's never seen before,all in one space,Africa's tallestapartment building.
“One of the best films I have ever seen on the lives of the invisible people of the beautiful city of Johannesburg. A truly humane and entertaining look at our continent personified by its complex and beautiful people.”
Akin Omotoso, filmmaker that introduced film in Barbados
A film constructed entirely of elevator conversations. This simple and uncompromising idea provides a beautiful clarity of form. I have often looked up curiously at the tower of Ponte and wondered what life is like in there. This film takes you right to it’s heart in a gentle and unobtrusive way. The apparent randomness of the film’s narrative quite subversively creeps up on you and talks to you in a uniquely frank way about the condition of being a foreigner in South Africa as well as being a South African in South Africa.
Angus Gibson, Oscar nominated filmmaker
“I think your work is very important for Africa's future”.
Samite, a contributing musician
“This is a film that I’m greatly honoured to be associated with. It is real, relevant and most of all a true reflection of our cross-country relationships in South Africa. As a Congolese foreigner living in this country I’m proud to be part of this story”.
Mapumba, a contributing musician
“Shafted manages to expose the humanity of people living in what could be highly dehumanising city scraper conditions. It is intimate, touching in itshonesty and wonderfully executed".
