Kevin Harris
is a South African who has lived and worked as
an independent filmmaker in South Africa for the past
twenty-eight years.
His
independent career began in October 1979 when he was fired by the Apartheid
controlled
SABC TV regime for ensuring the uncensored broadcast of his
documentary “BARA”, which went behind the scenes of an overcrowded
Baragwanath Hospital and exposed the oppressive social / environmental
conditions under which the community of Soweto were forced to live in the
township.
“BARA”
was awarded the Star Tonight Best Documentary Award for 1979.
In 1982 he
made his first independent documentary,
“This We
Can Do For Justice & For Peace” – which gave expression to the
standpoint of the South African Council of Churches in opposing Apartheid in
South Africa - through the concerned perspectives of General Secretary Bishop
Desmond Tutu & SACC President Peter Story.
Restricted in
South Africa, but broadcast in the USA by NBC under the title,
“Land of
Courage, Land of Fear” – the documentary was awarded two Emmy Awards.
Two
international co-productions - “Witness to Apartheid”
[1986] &
“The Cry of Reason” [1989] – both
received USA Academy Award nominations.
In November
1987, appeared as a specialist witness for the defence in the
"Delmas"
Treason Trial.
Conceived & produced the
alternative series of documentary reports on
South Africa during the "state of emergency" under the Apartheid
regime in 1986 & 1987, titled "South Africa Now".
Broadcast
weekly on PBS, “South Africa Now”, continued to expose the injustice and
brutality of Apartheid and successfully challenged the content of sanitized
mainstream USA network coverage of the South African situation from 1987 to
1990.
Exposed the
brutality of the South African Security Forces military occupation of Namibia,
in 1988 with the documentary "Namibia - no easy road to freedom".
Examined
the bitter-sweet legacy facing an Independent Namibia in 1990 with "Namibia
- Rebirth of a Nation".
In 1992 was
awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Film in S.A.
Since
democracy in 1994, Kevin Harris has to date produced & directed some
twenty-four South African feature documentaries on a variety of current social
& political issues.
International
co-productions include:
“Unfinished Business” – investigation
into the torture and execution of exiles by ANC Military Tribunal at Quatro
Camp [ Awarded a “Special Commendation” by the United Nations Media
Peace Awards] ;
“Judgement Day” – documentary feature on the current situation in Israel /
Palestine taking as a reference point the struggle for liberation in South
Africa.
[ Best
Documentary - Apollo Film Festival ].
In
2004, Kevin Harris initiated the Documentary Director Mentorship Program
in association with the National Film & Video Foundation - to promote
economic empowerment, sustainability and skills development in the South
African film and television industry by mentoring young South African
documentary producer / directors.
Kevin
Harris’ most recent documentary productions include:
- [ the 24 min documentary on the 50
yr relationship of Archbishop Desmond & Leah Tutu as husband & wife ]
- [ an
introspective autobiographical journey by local South African anti-Apartheid
film-maker Kevin Harris – looking back at his life-experience and the
circumstances that put him on the long road to The Delmas Treason Trial ]
“In the Shadows of
Beau Bassin” – 48 min - 2007
- [ “In the Shadows of Beau Bassin” is the little
known saga of 1581 Jewish refugees deported to Mauritius in 1940 and detained
at Beau Bassin Prison for some four and a half years during World War II ]
Kevin Harris is a South African, who has lived and worked as an
independent film-maker in South Africa for the past twenty-five years.
His work has twice been nominated for a USA Academy Award;
this was for the documentary “Witness to Apartheid” in 1986 and
the documentary “The Cry of Reason” in 1989;
in 1979 he was awarded a Star Tonight Award for his documentary “BARA”
and in 1982 received two USA Emmy Awards for the documentary,
"This we can do for Justice & for Peace" , for editing & production.
A feature documentary on the perspectives of Bishop Desmond Tutu &
the role of the South African Council of Churches in the fight against
apartheid in South Africa –
“Justice & Peace” was broadcast by NBC New York, under the title:
“Land of Fear, Land of Courage”.
Kevin Harris conceived & produced the alternative series of documentary reports
on South Africa during the "state of emergency" under the Apartheid regime in 1986 & 1987,
titled "South Africa Now" –
which formed the basis for the alternative documentary / current
affairs series broadcast on PBS in the USA under the title "South Africa Now".
This program successfully challenged the nature & content of
mainstream network coverage of South Africa by USA networks from 1987
to 1990.
In 1992 he was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Film in South Africa.
Served as Media Representative for the PPHC-AWG Network [ Progressive Primary Health Care - Aids Working Group] for 1991 & 1992.
Developed & instituted in 1990 the AIDS-awareness work-shopping project with the youth of Sharpeville Township out of which the docu-drama “MARGINS – Youngblood” documentary series was created.
Community film projects include the two dramatized documentaries,
"The Right Time" & "Tomorrow's Parents" –
work-shopped with the youth, these films examine many facets of life in
the townships including issues such as unwanted teenage pregnancies
& the breakdown in "parent-child" communication.
Since the democratisation of SABC Television in 1994, Kevin Harris has
to date produced & directed a significant number of South African
feature documentaries on a variety of current social issues - broadcast
by SABC Television, MNET & e-TV.
He has also Produced & Directed international co-production ventures with M-NET,
ZDF & ARD1[ Germany ], ABC TV [ Australia ] & PBS [ USA ].
In 1999, his 58min International Television Co-production with ABC Australia titled,
“Unfinished Business” was awarded a “Special Commendation” by the
United Nations Media Peace Awards.
His international co-production documentary feature on Israel /
Palestine – which takes as its reference point the South African
military occupation of Namibia by the Apartheid regime – titled, “Judgement Day” – has been awarded “best documentary” at the 2002 Apollo Film Festival.
In September 2004, Kevin Harris initiated the Documentary Director Mentorship Program
in association with the National Film & Video Foundation - to
promote economic empowerment, sustainability and skills development in
the South African film and television industry by mentoring young South
African documentary producer / directors.
PERSONAL DETAILS:
Born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal on 5th May 1950.
Qualified at the end of 1973 with a B/Sc. Engineering - Electrical - degree from the University of Natal, Durban.
Entered the film & broadcasting industry - trained & employed by the SABC Television Service from the beginning of 1974.
Was fired from SABC TV in 1979 for contriving to ensure the uncensored
broadcast of his documentary on Soweto & Baragwanath Hospital
titled, “BARA”
Has worked as an independent film maker in South Africa ever since.
Married, with two teenage children, Kevin Harris lives with his wife & family in Johannesburg.
INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARIES WRITTEN & PRODUCED DURING THE 1980's –
which dealt with the South African situation include: "If God be for us
...", "No Middle Road to Freedom", "The Struggle from Within", "Namibia
- no easy Road to Freedom", "Not yet Free" & "Namibia - Rebirth of
a Nation" .
Was awarded the STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST AWARD FOR FILM in South Africa for 1992.
PRODUCTIONS COMMISSIONED & BROADCAST BY TV NETWORKS SINCE 1994 INCLUDE:
"Of Courage & Consequence" -
the 1hr documentary on the bitter-sweet journey of South Africa's youth
across the cutting edge of the political landscape of the past twenty
years; nominated for an ARTES AWARD for BEST DOCUMENTARY of 1995;
"SABC TV 20 Years - the untold story" - a 52 minute documentary on the
political history of SABC Television; [ SABC 3 ] - [ 1995 / 6 ]
"Somebody's Children" - a 28 minute documentary on the "street children"; [SABC 3 ] - [ 1995 ]
"Heroes & Villains - Good Cop, Bad Cop" - the 52 minute documentary
on corruption & transformation in the SA Police Services; [ SABC 3
] - [ 1996 ]
"MARGINS" - the four-part drama / documentary series comprised of:
1] "Young-blood" - the two part 52 minute drama / documentary
which gives expression to contemporary concerned young black
opinion on issues of teenage-pregnancy, child abuse, teenage
sexuality, rape & AIDS against the back-drop of crime & violence
that make up present-day township life; [ SABC 1 ]
2] "Visions of Street-writers" - the two part 52 minute drama /
documentary scenario workshopped with six "street-writers" - which
reflects on circumstances that lead to & are an integral part of
the homeless & destitute; [ SABC 1 ] - [ 1996 ]
"Save the Children" - the 28 minute documentary looking at "child-abuse" & the
option of "fostering" in the context of the homeless communities in
South Africa today; [ SABC 2 ] - [ 1996 ]
"Robert Sobukwe - a Tribute to Integrity" - the two part 52 minute documentary on
`the life and times of Robert Sobukwe; [ SABC 1 ] - [ 1997 ]
"Behind Bars" - the 48 minute documentary looking "behind bars" - investigating
conditions, corruption & transformation in the Dept of Correctional
Services in South Africa today; [ SABC 3 ] - [ 1997 ]
“Rainbow Courage - A Tribute” - the 26 minute documentary
tribute to South Africans who have shown courage & commitment to
the “new South Africa” in the face of violence & crime.
[ SABC 1 ] - [ 1997 ]
“Long Walk Home” - the 2 x 24 minute episode documentary on
the walk undertaken by exiled poet, musician, economist &
journalist - Boudewijn Wegerif - from Sweden to Cape Town - to bring
attention to debt oppression, economic injustice & usury. [ SABC 2
- Religion ] - [ 1998 ]
“Matters of Life & Death” - the 48 minute documentary
looking at the state of health services delivery with a principal focus
on Johannesburg Hospital - [ SABC 3 ] - [ 1998 ]
“Vis-a-Vis” - “Black & Blue” - the
International Co-production with Internews New York / Paris & PBS
USA - inter-relating the lives of a black South African policeman from
SOWETO & an African-American policeman in Philadelphia. - [ PBS -
USA - 1998 ]
“Unfinished Business” - the 50 minute feature documentary
dealing with “the test of faith” of Joe Seremane & his
journey to bring back the physical remains of his younger brother
Timothy from exile & uncover the truth surrounding Timothy’s
execution by ANC Military Tribunal at Quatro Camp, Angola in 1981. The
programme is directed by Kevin Harris & is an international
co-production between ABC [ Australia ], Journocam Productions, SABC
& Kevin Harris Productions. – [ SABC 2 ] - [ ABC Australia ]
- [ 1999 ].
This production has been awarded a “Special Commendation” by the
United Nations Media Peace Awards - Television Category - for 1999.
“What God wants ....?” - a 26 minute documentary on
religion & homelessness in South Africa commissioned &
broadcast by SABC 2 Religion - 1999.
“Soweto - the passion ... the pain ...” & “Soweto - no more the ‘ghetto’” - the two x 56 min documentary on Soweto past & present commissioned and broadcast by e-TV - 1999 / 2000.
“Tough-love, Sex, Poverty, Infidelity ...?” -
the 52 min documentary special on AIDS in South Africa commissioned
& broadcast by SABC 2 for International AIDS Day - 2000.
“Youth Centres – Models of Excellence” – a 15
minute Corporate Promotional Video for the Planned Parenthood
Association of SA on “youth & AIDS” & the role of
PPASA Youth Centres. – 2000.
“Judgement Day” –
the 59 minute documentary feature on the current situation in Israel /
Palestine taking as a reference point the struggle for liberation in
South Africa. Co-produced & broadcast by M-NET & awarded the
“best documentary” for 2002 at the Apollo Film Festival.
Carte Blanche episodes - 2002
i] Beyers Naude – A Tribute;
ii] Dewald Pretorius – Small Beginnings – [ story of young
SA A-side cricketer who grew up in an orphanage in Bloemfontein];
iii] Zambian Mischief – political shenanigans in current Zambian politics;
“Shapes of things to Come” – 26 minute documentary
broadcast on SABC 3 “Xpressions” slot looking at Plastic
Surgery & Cosmetic Enhancement in South Africa. [ Nov 2002 ].
Special Assignment episode - 2003
“Conduct Unbecoming”-
A special report for SABC 3’s Special Assignment program looking
at medical malpractice in the field of “plastic surgery” in
South Africa today.
“Delmas – the passion … the pain” – 2004
The 52 minute documentary on the so-named “Delmas Treason
Trial” – longest running political trial in South African
history which took its course from 1985 to 1990. The documentary looks
at the people caught up in political events that precipitated the trial
and the effects of the trial on the families of activists incarcerated
as a result of this final phase of internal resistance to the grand
apartheid design. [ SABC 1 ]
“Sandton
via Soweto – return” – 2005
The 54
minute documentary, looking at the phenomenon of township families who, over
the past decade, have moved to the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg –
reflecting on how they see their new environment in relation to their township
roots. Commissioned
by the Goethe Institute [ 2005 ]
2 x 24min episode
documentary on SA photo-journalist Peter Magubane with a particular
focus on his involvement in the June 16th 1976 Soweto student
uprising.
The
documentary is directed by Guy Hubbard & Zingi Mkefa & produced
by
Kevin Harris as part of the
Documentary
Director Mentorship Program run by the
Rainbow Documentary Production Collective.
For Better – For Worse – 24 min - 2006
a
deeply personal character study on
the lives of Dr Ceiri and Angus Alexander, and the children they treat
at Red
Cross Children’s Hospital. We take a journey with them and
experience their
work with our countries
children. We join them in moments of reflection and
fear, follow their trials and tribulations, constantly staring
death in the
face. The documentary is directed by Jonathan Boynton-Lee &
produced by
Kevin Harris as
part of the Documentary
Director Mentorship Program run by the
Rainbow Documentary Production
Collective.
“Desmond
& Leah Tutu – A Love Divine” – 2006
The 24 minute documentary on
the 50 yr relationship of Archbishop Desmond & Leah
Tutu
as husband & wife. Part of the SABC 3 series, “’Til Death us do Part”.
“In
the Dock” – 48 min - 2007
“IN THE DOCK”
is the
introspective personal journey of local South African anti-Apartheid
film-maker
Kevin
Harris – looking back at his life-experience
and the circumstances that
put him on the long road to The
Delmas Treason
Trial.
“In the Shadows of
Beau Bassin” – 48 min - 2007
“In
the Shadows of Beau Bassin”
is the little known saga of 1581 Jewish refugees deported
to Mauritius in
1940 and detained at Beau Bassin Prison
for some four and a
half years.
“Remember
Africa … remember Sobukwe” – 24 min – 2011.
A tribute to
the life and times
of Pan Africanist Congress founding President, Robert Sobukwe. Produced
for the
Nelson Mandela Foundation & the Robert Sobukwe Trust.
“Zimbabwe – Past the
Post … on a Dark Horse” - 65 min – 2011
This
documentary cuts to the heart of the complex Zimbabwean society as it
is today
- peeling away to
expose the
many layers that exist - each with their
respective and very different reality. Offering new
reference points the
documentary journeys through the personal complexities that make up the
psyche
of
President Robert Mugabe, the desperate situation of
the refugee to South
Africa, the unrequited mission of
the war veteran - who took up the armed
struggle as a guerilla at the age of fifteen - and the tenacity of the
predominantly white thoroughbred horse racing
fraternity who are surviving in
spite of invasion of their farms.
These
journeys are interwoven against a backdrop of the history of Rhodesia /
Zimbabwe & the impact of
the legacy of British
Colonialism on Zimbabwe
& Africa in general laying bare the wounded soul of
Zimbabwe as never
before.
………………………..