South African filmmaker Malusi S Bengu debuts his new film, Beauty in the Dark, on Nataal today. The black and white short brings us to an art exhibition opening in Joburg, where the city’s fashionable crowd mingle and sip drinks. And just as the artist of the moment begins to address the crowd, a mesmerising woman named Nova, played by Celeste Khumalo, enters the room. She ignores the gloss of the event, preferring instead to join the evening’s waiter Nox, played by Niza Jay, to ruminate on the real meaning of art and beauty.

Bengu explains: “I grew up under the ‘Black is Beautiful’ political gaze of the 70s and 80s posters. This defiant stance in the face of Apartheid brutality is the epitome of how art reflects the times. Beauty in the Dark is a homage to this Black aesthetic that demands to be seen as art, in all its alluring Blackness.”

The storyteller originally cut his teeth writing for television dramas and was more recently recognised as co-writer of the award-winning film Inxeba. He’s also founder of the digital arts cooperative Film & Vinyl Club, through which he’s released other shorts including 2 Grams and a Sunrise and Date Night.

Here Beauty in the Dark’s two leads give their perspective on the film and their characters.

Celeste Khumalo

“Nova is art and her spirit and movement eludes the artist and the spectators as she moves through an exhibition... As if her meaning doesn’t matter, she goes after Nox, the one who isn’t phased by the artist's clout or the confined space... Nox is the only one who truly sees her.”

Niza Jay

"I had the challenge of not conflating female identity and feminine identity, and that's a very thin line to tow. Not only in real life, but even more so as an actor who is aware of and understands the value of these nuances… Nox showed me all the ways in which I'll never understand the woman's experience, no matter how feminine I may be. But she also showed me that there is beauty in celebrating all parts of yourself. Whether you're a man celebrating your femininity or an elderly person enjoying being old and out of the mix, be intentional about taking charge of your life, stand for something and speak your mind - wisely."

Read our story on Malusi S. Bengu’s 2019 film, 2 Grams and a Sunrise here.

Writer and director Malusi S. Bengu
Producer and editor Malope Makola

Cast
Celeste Khumalo
Niza Jay
Zandi Finca
Aphiwe Khefe

Visit Film & Vinyl Club

Published on 03/06/2021