An important milestone of Black South African cinematic history that lives on in cultural
memory, and introduced the singular jazz singer and activist, Dolly Rathebe to the big
screen. The film is a light-hearted jaunty tale of urban migration, and seminal, in that it was
the first South African film made for Black audiences. With a wide national release, support
from the ANC (African National Congress), and acting as a vehicle for popular South African
musical talent including Rathebe and The African Inkspots – there is much to be celebrated
about the film’s initial distribution, reception and most recent 4K restoration.
Although obviously, African Jim is still not the easiest watch – with outdated language and a
lack of real context as to why Jim and his friends struggle in this white majority and
controlled city. Despite this, there are still transgressions from the tight censor-approved
script – and wonderfully, ways in which we can engage with and reflect on the activism and
Black culture of the time.
A 4K restoration by UK-based R3store Studios funded by the National Gallery of Canada with
thanks to Villon Films.
Content warning: the film contains outdated practices, such as racialised language and
mistreatment of people which some may find offensive.
