South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: 1994: The Bloody Miracle (15) – as South Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of the advent of democracy, it is difficult to believe the ‘Mandela miracle’ almost didn’t happen. In an orgy of countrywide violence, some were intent on derailing the first free elections. Now, for the first time, those responsible for countless deaths and widespread mayhem explain how they nearly brought South Africa to its knees. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.
Discover Urban Art: a charity art project delivered by a talented, creative group, who will provoke and inspire with stories of the challenges of life in the city. Musicians, painters, designers, performers and dancers will collaborate to deliver this unique exhibition. Launch tonight 6.30-10pm, then open to the public 10am-7pm on Wednesday 1st April, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. All profits will be donated to The Teapot Trust, an Edinburgh-based charity helping children with chronic diseases through professional art therapy.
Edinburgh Reads: Meet the Author – John Mayer. The retired advocate and author talks about his debut novel The Trial, a gripping crime thriller in the Scottish Noir tradition; advocate with a past Brogan McLane fights to clear his name when he is accused of the murder of a High Court Judge. 6.30-8.30pm, Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue. Free tickets may be obtained via eventbrite here.
Holding up a mirror to Bordon’s women: Paul Hodgson, artist, and Sharon Lloyd, fashion and beauty scholar, will discuss the photographic triptych made in response to Paris Bordon’s Venetian Women at their Toilet. The challenge of constructing a visual narrative that would embody contemporary identities raised many questions about fashion media expectations and the ambiguities of beauty. Hodgson and Lloyd will explore the nature of the working process, alongside their interpretations of Renaissance imagery as it appears in the finished triptych. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required.
Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.
Greenhouse: an exhibition of works by Edinburgh College of Art 4th Year Painting, Photography and Sculpture students Iona Roberts, Sarinda Devine, Eve Stotesbury, Yoli McKean, Sky Su and Ned Armstrong. Launch tonight at 7pm, then 10am-5pm daily, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Ends 4th April 2015.
