Theatrical cinema in South Africa: The Parasite within, South Korea as a model for survival

Abstract

The 2019 Oscar winner, Parasite attracted millions to South Korean cinemas even before its success in Hollywood. Nigerian cinema is also growing, with local movies topping the theatrical box office and new cinemas being built. Meanwhile, in South Africa, feature film production and cinema attendance are declining without significant transformation of access to the means of film production or to distribution and exhibition. Practical propositions, including the implementation of quotas and taxes, are presented as remedies for the survival of South African cinema, particularly in relation to content creation and the expansion of the exhibition infrastructure.