Zonk! Explained

Zonk! is a 1950 musical film made in South Africa.^[1] It features black performers doing American style numbers.^[2] It was directed by Hyman Kirstein.^[3] It was made by African Film Productions.^[4]

The film shows Broadway's influence.^[5] It is one of four films made from 1949-1951 documenting original music and performances by Africans.^[6] Jacqueline Maingard of the University of Bristol wrote an article about "Cinematic Images of Black Sexual Identity" in the film.^[7]

Cast

• Sylvester Phahlane
• Daniel Lekoape
• Fiver Kelly
• Richard Majola
• Hessie Kerry
• Timothy Zwane
• Moffat Tlale
• Laura Gagashane
• Geoffrey Tsebe
• Manhattan Stars
• Zonk Band led by Samuel Maile^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Song and genocide: Investigating the function of Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Umqombothi in Hotel Rwanda.
2. Book: Zonk | WorldCat.org. 868977157 .
3. Web site: Hyman Kirstein - ESAT. esat.sun.ac.za.
4. Bokkies/Moffies: Cinematic Images of Black Sexual Identity in "Zonk!" (1950). Maingard, Jacqueline. 2003. Journal of African Cultural Studies. 16. 1. 25–43. 10.1080/1369681032000169249 . 3181383 . 191474513 . JSTOR.
5. Southern African Films and Documentaries launches on Africa Commons. 17 May 2023. librarytechnology.org.
6. Web site: Song and genocide: Investigating the function of Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Umqombothi in Hotel Rwanda. page 735
7. Bokkies/Moffies: Cinematic Images of Black Sexual Identity in "Zonk!" (1950). Maingard, Jacqueline. 2003. Journal of African Cultural Studies. 16. 1. 25–43. 10.1080/1369681032000169249 . 3181383 . 191474513 . JSTOR.
8. Web site: South African Musical Film — AFRICAN JIM (1949) & ZONK (1950). The New York Public Library.