African Couch Potato

Imagine waking up to find your life savings are gone forever. Well, that's what happened to thousands of people in 2018, many of them from rural and low-income communities. who had deposited or invested with VBS Mutual Bank, when it was exposed as the epicentre of a massive fraud and corruption scandal. In today's ACP, Gino talks, via Zoom, to local documentary filmmaker Dowelani Nenzhelele, whose own family lost hundreds of thousands of rands, about, not only the personal cost, but the pain and suffering visited on the victims, many who still have seen nothing of their missing money. Dowelani talks about how working alongside Idea Candy helped him bring the whole sorry story to the screen.The People vs VBS follows the money to show how a small mutual bank became entangled with multinational auditors, political parties, a royal household and a former president.You can stream The People vs VBS on DStv Stream and don't forget to check out Backpack Films to find out what Dowelani and the next generation of film makers are up to.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Variations on a Theme, a South African drama by directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar,  just won the coveted Tiger Award for best competition film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and has now gone on to win the Best African Film award at the Joburg Film Festival 2026 Gala Awards.So, obvs, we needed to talk to them. Gino got hold of them via Zoom to get some insight into the "whats?" and "whys?" behind the film. It tells the story of an elderly goat herder, Hettie, who falls victim to a scam promising long-overdue reparations for her father’s WWII service. As she waits for money that will never come, the disruptions of her 80th birthday threaten to strip away the last of her independence. Devon adds, “Although the film is fictional, it's based on the real experiences of people who have historically borne the brunt of a lot of injustices and continue to fall victim to these scams".The Tiger Competition jury said: “Possessing a deep poetic language, we found this to be a thoughtful and moving portrait of a community living under the spectre of colonial legacies and familial bonds in this world and the next.”You can catch Variations on a Theme at Ster-Kinekor V&A Nouveau in Cape Town or at Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

With invites from all over, this week Gino was spolt for choice. Welcome to African Couch Potato, the No.1 film and television podcast to listen to in SA according to Feedspot.comFirstly, on a sad note, trailblazing beauty queen and established actress, Cynthia Shange has left us. After being crowned Miss Black South Africa she went on to represent the country at Miss World in 1972. She was also the lead star in South Africa's first black feature film, Udeliwe. The invites! Invite number 1 was to Michael, at the IMAX with Laser in Rosebank. A long, long time in production, the movie follows Michael's rise to stardom from the early days in the 60s to his explosion as a megastar in the early 90s. Go!Invite number 2 was another groundbreaker in a way. BTS is a South Korean boy band who have made it big all over the world. After a pause to do military service, they reunited and started touring again. Their recent Arirang World Tour Tokyo concert was livestreamed to cinemas globally and Gino was there with the rest of the ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth).The 12th Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards are around the corner and this year they will be hosted by SA's Nomzamo Mbatha and Nigeria’s producer-comedian-actor, Bovi on the 9th May in Lagos.While, on the same day, the SAFFA Stunt Awards are happening in Cape Town, you can get tickets by calling +27 83 716 1821.And, don't miss the next ep, when Gino chats to directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar about their film, Variations on a Theme, which premiered earlier in 2026, won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and Best African Film at the 2026 Joburg Film Festival. Be there!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Big fanfare! We have hit another first. This week sees the very first time we have featured a return guest. Welcome back Zenobia Kloppers, and she is here to do the double on ACP as she is doing the double in the film world. A rare occassion indeed. Zenobia has two movies coming out on two different streamers on the same day.When Zenobia was with us last she chatted to Gino about Finding Optel and Fiela se Kind amog other things.  And now she is back to talk about her two latest works.Firstly the crime-thriller180 tells the tale of an enraged father who spirals down a dark path of emotional turmoil and vengeance when an unexpected road rage incident leaves his son in a critical condition. You can find 180 on Netflix.In a different direction is Hive, a horror story about a teen babysitter who loses the baby in her care. She finds herself facing a dark menace lurking among the playground children. Hive is currently on Tubi, a US-based streaming site, so check tubitv.com to see if it is available in your country.To get in touch with Zenobia professionally, you can email Monique on [email protected] other news, the second SAFFA Stunt Awards is taking place on 9 May at the Avalon Theatre in Cape Town. For bookings call +27 83 716 1821. If you can, please suppport this lesser-featured section of the film world.And finally, don't miss our next episode when Gino will report back on the premiere of Michael  at the state-of-the-art IMAX® with Laser in Rosebank. Should be a Thriller!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

What's better than IMAX? IMAX with Laser, of course. This week saw Gino get an invite ticket to check out the latest IMAX with Laser at The Zone @ Rosebank. With next generation projection technology that delivers brighter images, deeper contrast and unparalleled clarity, IMAX with Laser is now open. Check it out!And from the previous weekend, Gino also got to spend some time at Emperors Palace to take in some of their Easter Royale week. Family fun, with plenty of competitions to keep you entertained.Back to TV and next up is your Top Ten watchlist for Netflix:Untold: Chess MatesTrust Me: The False ProphetThrashThe Truth and Tragedy of Moriah WilsonThe Predator of SevilleSheng Wang: PurpleTemptation Island S2One Piece S2BTS The ReturnAge of AttractionMissing Showmax? Here's where to find all that content, and finally we take a quick look at the Directors Guild of South Africa’s Creative Awards which took place over the weekend in Cape Town.  That's it from African Couch Potato, the number 1 film and television podcast to listen to in S.A. according to Feedspot.com. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Footsteps, glass breaking, punches, door slams, clothes swishing, rain on the windscreen. How would your TV or film be if all these sounds and many more like them were missing? In the world of production it is not always possible to record these sounds as they happen or they are just not big enough, and so need to be replaced. In sound design, Foley is the reproduction of these everyday sound effects that are added to films, TV shows and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality, and it requires someone to create them. Enter the Foley artist.This week Gino spoke, via Zoom, to Academy of Sound Engineering lecturer, Sean Radford, about the art of Foley and just what it entails. As each sound effect is recorded live, it is important to have an understanding of recording techniques, how microphones work and what they do, as well as having an active imagination; you might need to replicate those difficult sounds like someone's arm breaking (celery - who knew?).It is these added and enhanced sounds that are an integral part of the on screen universe, and without them the illusion doesn't work. Paradoxically, the better Foley artist you are, the less you are noticed.  Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

A quarter of the way through 2026 and it's another Monday morning and another episode of African Couch Potato. Welcome to the latest news, views and reviews. Sadly, we kick off with the loss of Chuck Norris. Probably most well-known for Walker, Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is a legend in the world of martial arts and entertainment. He inspired countless memes, jokes, alongside much admiration for his achievements and personality.Also leaving us is Showmax. Africa’s biggest streamer will end on 30 April, so you have one more month to get your binge fix. Over the last two years Gino has chatted to many guests, from both behind and in front of the cameras, whose shows or films appeared on Showmax. So, goodbye Showmax, welcome back DStv Stream.Netflix is bringing sexy back with season 3 of Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black, and South Africa’s very own Fatal Seduction wraps up season 2.The new Bafana Bafana jerseys are out and you have a couple of months to grab yours. From 11 June the world gives it all up to soccer as the FIFA World Cup gets underway, and in the very first game South Africa will take on Mexico. You can watch all the action on SABC, so no excuses.The US v Iran might be an interesting game, if they get that far.   Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Over the last 30 years or so, we have seen many films and TV productions that have, in different ways, looked at the issues of South Africa's troubled past, but very few have looked from the white, English-speaking perspective. The Reconciliation is an art-house drama about people who believe they’ve changed, until change asks something real of them. Anchored in a particularly South African context, the film explores the true costs of reconciliation when holding on to the past begins to suffocate the future. The story unfolds over a single Christmas Day at an old family home in an affluent suburb of Cape Town, where a mother tries to bring her fractured family together for what may be their final Christmas together. Determined to keep everyone at the table and preserve the appearance of unity, she finds her belief in reconciliation put to the test.ACP managed to hook up over Zoom with independent filmmaker Jonty Acton, currently in Germany, to talk about the film, his own childhood experiences that had such an influence on the storyline, and what finally pushed him to look at "crowdfunding" as a way forward. The film asks a simple, but perhaps uncomfortable, question:What happens when reconciliation becomes a way of avoiding real change?You can find Jonty's project at the Indiegogo.com link below. They are at over 80% of the required funding at the time of writing. Check it out.https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/jonty-acton/the-reconciliation----a-south-african-feature-film?ref=searchYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Podcasthon! What is that? It is an international collection of podcasters who over this week will be dedicatig one episode of their show to a charity of their choice.Podcasthon started in 2023 with 300 French-speaking podcasters. It grew in 2024 and hit the international podcast stage last year, which is when we got on board. As part of this year's over 1,500 podcasters doing their bit, we will be focussing on South Africa's Chaeli Campaign.Born in Cape Town in the mid - 90s, Michaela “Chaeli” Mycroft co-founded The Chaeli Campaign when she was 9 years old. What started as a fundraising initiative to raise funds for her first motorised wheelchair to help her experience more independence has grown over the last 22 years, to becoming an internationally recognised foundation. Gino chatted with the vibrant Chaeli about her life with cerebral palsy, both growing up, the eventual establishment of the Chaeli Campaign and so much more . The Objectives of The Chaeli Campaign are to:Promote and provide the mobility and educational needs of disabled children;Use its facilities and resources to assist the disabled community in any way it sees fit;Work in collaboration with other organisations for the advancement of the disabled community;Act as a facilitator to other centres / organisations / communities. As Chaeli says, "funding is always needed" and you can get on board with this extremely worthwhile campiagn at Home - Chaeli Campaign You don't argue with a girl who did Kili in a wheelchairYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

There are many people who play an integral part of any TV or film production, yet are often not noticed when it comes to fame and fortune. It is part of our mission at ACP to turn the spotlight on these people. On an ever-growing list of guests that are also SAFTA nominees comes someone who's role is often overlooked but you would think something was very wrong if his contribution wasn't there. Meet film composer Wesley West.This week Gino connected with Cape Town–based composer, musician, and producer, Wesley, via Zoom, to talk about his musical beginnings, as a student and then a teacher, as well as his work, featuring over 25 movies among many other productions, notably his SAFTA nominated Reënboogrant. Inspired by Louise van Niekerk’s bestselling 90s novels, Reënboogrant is a Pretoria-based teen telenovela centred on the Brink family. It is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the world of authentic teenage drama, family conflicts, love, aspirations, and fierce rivalries. Catch all the highs and lows at Hoërskool Reënboogrant, now streaming on Showmax.Wesley is also very busy planning his wedding and we wish him all the best. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

March already! It'll soon be Christmas at this rate.Welcome to episode 35 of season 3 of African Couch Potato. This week we say Goodbye, Hello and Congratulations.We say Goodbye to Eric Dane. Best known for his roles on Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, the American actor died less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neuron disease. He was 53.Dane starred as family patriarch Cal Jacobs in the hit teen drama Euphoria. Before that, he was perhaps best known as Dr Mark Sloan, or "Dr McSteamy", in Grey's Anatomy.We say Hello to several series which are coming to Mzansi Magic, notably Youngins and Law, Love and Betrayal plus an extension to the popular Inimba.We say Congratulations to the freshly-announced SAFTA nominees, many of whom have been in the hotseat as guests of ACP.Gino also runs through a list of what to watch as we swing into March, including:Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight - depicts 8-year-old Bobo's life on her family's Rhodesian farm during the Bush War's final stages. Pamela, A Love Story - Follows the life of pop culture icon Pamela Anderson, including never-before-seen archival footage and personal journals.Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model  - a documentary look at how the glamorous competition became a pop-culture phenomenon marked by explosive drama, meltdowns, and controversies.In The Moment - follows London comedian Mo Gilligan as he dishes on fame, family and being British in America.Being Gordon Ramsay - follows the celebrity chef's journey to launch dining concepts at 22 Bishopsgate, London's second tallest building..Taylor Tomlinson: Prodigal Daughter - her fourth Netflix special, following Quarter-Life Crisis (2020), Look At You (2022), and Have It All (2024).March on!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

On November 28, 1987, South African Airways Flight 295, a Boeing 747-200 named Helderberg, was en route from Taiwan, to Johannesburg with a scheduled stop in Mauritius. Shortly after midnight, the aircraft reported smoke in the cockpit to Mauritian air traffic control. Communication was lost shortly thereafter, and the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean, killing all 159 passengers and crew on board. Helderberg is a locally produced 3-part documentary, and this week on ACP, Gino had the chance to chat to producer Elle Oosthuizen and director Tim Apter about how the series happened and just what goes into pulling together a story from almost 40 years ago. Over the years many documents and transcripts have been lost, people involved at the time have passed on, and the failure to reach a definite conclusion in the original investigation has led to all sorts of theories and speculations as to what actually happened.The Helderberg disaster remains a significant event in South African aviation history, marked by tragedy and ongoing questions about its causes and implications. Catch all three parts of Helderberg currently streaming on Showmax.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

In Brakpan if they invite you for a fight, a braai will break out. Even people from Brakpan make fun of Brakpan!  The two-part documentary series Brakpan Chronicles is due out on Showmax this Friday and in this episode Gino gets to share a brandewyn with South African radio and television personality Rian van Heerden, the man who is lifting the lid on this much-maligned, memed and mocked one-time mining town on the East Rand. Rian chats to Gino about his, often controversial, career from his early days, to his many years of hosting intriguing conversations as a radio DJ and his move into the world of television, where he has helmed such notable successes as Sex in Afrikaans, Die Real Housewives van Pretoria and Tiek Tok Boem. Brakpan Chronicles starts streaming on Showmax, this Friday(Closest cities to Brakpan town centre? Liquor City and Baby City)Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Into the second month of the year and the next date on the horizon is this weekend's Valentine's Day. Two years ago saw the Valentine movie Forever Yena hit our screens. Patience, we'll get there! Playing the role of Kwanda was a young and upcoming actor named Aluve Mjali. In this week's ACP, Gino gets to sit down and follow the budding career of this young hot-shot actor, from his school days, to his interest in sound engineering and mixing for TV, and how that led to new and exciting roles, this time in front of the camera. For someone still on their upward journey, Aluve's CV is already full of big names. Equally comfortable in TV productions, commercials or in the movies, Aluve's star is surely set to shine.   Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

He’s the chaos agent you can’t ignore. The family menace who somehow built himself a fanbase. The man who turned balaclavas into a movement. Tlali is back for Outlaws Season 2 and he’s hungrier, wilder, and more unhinged than ever. But who is the actor behind this outrageous villain?Born and raised in Daveyton, Keketso Mpitso began attending acting classes in a local community theatre at the age of 10. This led him to attend East Rand School Of the Arts followed by CityVarsity School of Media and Creative Arts where he obtained an Advance Diploma in Acting for Television. After a brief stint as a radio DJ, his career took off with films for Mzanzi Bioskop. Gino sat down with Keketso to talk about soccer, his early years, his love for theatre, and, of course, the return of one of Outlaws’ most unpredictable villains.Outlaws follows the dramatic lives of the Biyela clan, Zulu cattle farmers, and the Tseoles, Basotho cattle raiders on the border between Lesotho and KZN, now streaming on ShowmaxYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

We are almost at the end of January and that paycheck should be coming in right now. Still plenty to watch; In this ep we have a mixed bag of local and US items.We kick off with a mention of The Bridge Networking Soiree, a new initiative that aims to introduce Black American professionals to South African professionals, to share intellectual, social and venture capital. Unfortunately Gino couldn't make it but thanks for the invite!Tot Siens, Selina on Showmax, pays tribute to a domestic worker and the integgral role she played in the filmmaker, Lourensa Eckard's life.Despite his dislike of action flicks, Gino gives The Rip, starring Ben Affleck and  Matt Damon a 10/10. In The Rip (Netflix) a group of cops discovers a stash of cash, leading to distrust and corruption.Back home, the animated bible movie David is making waves as it has ironically taken on the Goliath that is the latest Avatar offering. In cinemas now!And finally when you thought you had seen everything; you haven't, yet! Dating Naked UK is now on DStv Stream. Single men and women bare all on a tropical island in the hopes of finding love without modern world complications getting in the way, hosted by reality celeb Rylan Clark. Now you've seen it all!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Goeie dag! Welcome to the latest episode of ACP where Gino has to take on the new boss. New boss of what? we hear you ask. Meet Flip, the manager at polony distributors Deluxe Processed Meats. Still confused? All will be explained. Our first guest of the year is award winning actor Albert Pretorius, and he is hitting your screens in the brand new Afrikaans adaptation of the world-renowned comedy series, The Office.Albert, as Flip Bosman, the manager, takes on the iconic role that earned both Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell their first Golden Globes, as David Brent in the British version and Michael Scott in the US version, respectively. No pressure then.South Africa’s version of The Office, has been spiced up with a distinctly local flavour. A documentary film crew is busy filming a day-to-day look into how polony is made in Klerksdorp's Deluxe Processed Meats company. However, things are about to get shaken up, as a BEE consortium has recently acquired a significant share of the business.Gino talks to Albert about his early days and how he got into theatre, before his TV and movie career too off. And we get some insight into both Die Kantoor and Flip Bosman, the self-proclaimed Rassie of the polony business.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

2026 is here and most people are already back at work and the next holiday is Human Rights Day, way away on the 21st of March. Here at ACP we never stop, and Gino has a full goody bag for this week's ep.We kick off with a new show on Mzansi Magic, Bhelas, which follows the life of Thato - a young college drop-out who wants to become a chef.Across the pond to the supposed "Land of the Free", we find a jail in Arizona where the inmates govern themselves. This experimental docu-series is the brainchild of a local sherrif who wants to shake things up. Check it out, Gino gives it an 8/10.  AFCON is getting close to the sharp end, and unfortunately we (South Africa) are no longer contenders. Gino bemoans the fate of Bafana Bafana and our loss of footballing glory.Nigerian singer/songwriter Wizkid's documentary, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos is out on Showmax. A deeply personal look at a singular musician, the film also outlines the expansion of African music to a global, mainstream stage where it's recognized as the many disparate genres and sounds it is.And we round off the episode with an update on how things stand in Harlan Coben's Run Away , currently streaming on Netflix.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of African Couch Potato of 2026. We kick off the ep with Gino's top 26 movies to look out for over the coming year. He has a look at the whirlwind African tour of American YouTuber iShowSpeed. Staying with the African tour theme, there's a review of the totally crazy Tiffany Haddish Goes Off currently streaming on Showmax, and we end with a first look at the new Harlan Coben thriller now on Netflix, Run Away.Here is the movie list with their expected release datesTop 26 anticipated movies for 2026People We Meet on Vacation - Jan 928 Years Later: The Bone Temple - Jan 16The Moment - Jan 30Send Help - Jan 30Wuthering Heights - Feb 13Scream 7 - Feb 27The Bride! - Mar 6The Breadwinner - Mar 13Project Hail Mary - Mar 20The Drama - Apr 3The Devil Wears Prada - May 1Mandalorian and Grogu - May 22Disclosure Day - Jun 12Toy Story 5 - Jun 19Supergirl - Jun 26Moana - Jul 10The Odyssey - mid JulSpider-man: Brand New Day - Jul 31 Resident Evil - Sep 18Whalefall - Oct 16The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - Nov 20Meet the Parents 4: Focker In-law - Nov 25Narnia - Nov 26Jumanji 3 - Dec 4Doomsday - Dec 18Dune: Part Three - Dec 18A stack of diary dates to keep you going through 2026.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

The last episode of ACP for 2025! With only a few days left of the year, Gino takes time to reflect on the amazing guests we've had the pleasure of hosting; where we are all over the world and how you managed to listen in. In a move that took many people by surprise, Netflix is planning to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, which, if successful, will make it possibly the largest media company on the planet. The downside for us is that we may lose several channels from DStv, as  well as some shows from Showmax. Now, here's Gino's top 25 for '25: Love and Wine - A rich guy working for his dad's company falls for a student. Man vs Baby - Rowan Atkinson is looking after another un-asked-for companion.Monster: The Ed Gein Story - A series chronicling the stories of infamous killers.Bad Influencer - A single mom partners with an influencer to sell counterfeit designer bags.aka Charlie Sheen - The actor discusses his rise to fame and public downfall.The Thursday Murder Club - Retirees spend their time solving cold case murders.Building The Band - 50 contestants form bands without meeting.A Minecraft Movie - 4 misfits are pulled through a mysterious portal.Unseen (S2)  - Zenzi's new reality brings with it enemies and alliances.Forever - Two high schoolers in L.A. navigate first love and intimacy.The Diamond Heist - London criminals plan an audacious heist.Black Mirror (S7) - Satirical tales explore techno-paranoia.Ralph Barbosa - Cowabunga - Cheeky stand-up special.Million Dollar Secret - A player starts with $1m, while 11 more try to capture them.Con Mum - A chef's world turns chaotic when a socialite appears, claiming to be his mom. Andrew Schulz Life - Comedy special about starting a family and going through IVF treatments.GO!  - A young sprinter has to overcome past trauma as he attends a prestigious school.Adolescence - A 13-year-old is accused of the murder of a classmate.School of Chocolate - Professionals test their skills under chocolatier, Amaury Guichon.Apple Cider Vinegar - Wellness guru Belle Gibson, who pretended to have cancer.The Kings of Tupelo - Small-town Mississippi's jaw-dropping scandal.Shaka iLembe - The making of the iconic African king.Inimba - A business woman gives birth, but chooses her career over her child.The Chair Company - A man investigates a conspiracy.Married At First Sight: Mzansi - Singles agree to marry partners chosen by experts. TYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

The season of goodwill is upon us, yet sadly, we start this episode with the horrific shooting of DJ Warras. Gino takes some time to reflect on this tragic event.Moving on, this week sees Gino relating his adventures from his hilarious recent roadtrip to Mozambique, where just about everything that could go wrong, did!Surviving the trip, Gino takes a look at the new Netflix release: Love and Wine, the story of a rich guy working for his dad's company, who falls for a med student and pretends to be poor like her. His lie spirals into a mess of comedy and touching moments.There's more comedy with How to Ruin Love - Suspecting infidelity, Zoleka plans to catch her boyfriend in the act, only to ruin her own surprise proposal. Now she must win him back.And comedic royalty Rowan Atkinson is back with Man vs Baby which picks up after Man vs Bee. This time Trevor (Atkinson) is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion.The third installment of Knives Out, titled Wake Up Deadman revives Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc, who is called to investigate the death of a prominent clergyman during a church service, with the entire congregation present and all of them potential suspects.This neatly takes us to the Genesis - In The Garden Concert on Boxing Day, featuring not only members of the Genesis cast but also some of the top gospel singers around. And on that note, African Couch Potato wishes you a joyous and peaceful festive season.For those that need to know - Florestinha do Índico means Little Forest of the Indian OceanYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Luto Mpunga is a South African social media personality and content creator known for her activity on TikTok, sharing videos featuring personal moments, humour, and music-related content. She is also part of the Director's Guild of South Africa. In this episode we grabbed a few minutes with her, via Zoom, to chat about the DGSA Creatives Awards.The Creatives Awards is a groundbreaking event that sets a new gold standard for recognizing and celebrating the brilliance, innovation, and artistic excellence within South Africa’s film and television industry. The main awards ceremony will be happening next year in MarchLuto also talks about her earlier years in the modelling industry which led to her becoming a coach, training toddlers and teenagers in modeling and life skills for fashion shows, and her ultimate goal, which is to be an actress. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Sibusiso Mthiya is a South African media personality, producer, and presenter known for hosting inspirational shows and it was a pleasure to welcome him to the studio for a chat with Gino about his career and his plans for the future, as well as talking openly about his faith and growing up without a present father figure .Sibusiso might be known to older listeners from his days on Kideo and YoTv Land where he started at the age of 6 years old. He talks to Gino about those early days and how celebrity status is no longer what it was.From his days as a child star, he stayed in the entertainment industry where he has popped up as an actor, a radio DJ and more recently as a producer. Sibusiso is involved with SID Media, hosting programs that combine music, inspirational conversations, and community engagement. He is also heavily involved with Hope Channel Africa as Head of Content and Programming.His newest venture is Khula Ndoda, a new podcast born out of a passion to mentor and guide young boys through the challenges of adolescence. Developed with a dedicated team in South Africa, the podcast aims to offer support and guidance to young men navigating the complexities of growing up. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

December is here, Christmas is round the corner and so are the holidays. And how are we going to kick off the celebrations? With a resounding win by the Springboks. For the first time, Gino got to watch the Boks with his Dad on his birthday. And how? Because DStv has unlocked the Premium package to all Compact subscribers until the end of December, but only on the decoder, not DStv Stream.ACP has a look at the Open Chats Podcast which scored a win with the South African Social Media Awards (SASMA) which took place recently.In case you were wondering, Gino gives a rundown of the top 10 (music) videos that racked up a billion views the fastest on YT.And before you hit the pool or the beach, here's some watchlists to keep you occupied.   On NetflixStranger Things - Season 5 - One Last AdventureKevin Hart - Acting My Age - In his latest stand-up special, Kevin Hart hilariously tackles middle-age challengesTroll 2 - Nora, Andreas and Captain Kris leap back into action when a dangerous new troll awakes - and this time they'll need more help to take it down.All The Empty Rooms - A seven-year-long project to document the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings.One Piece, Season 32, Egghead Arc -Rubber-bodied dreamer Monkey D. Luffy gathers an eclectic pirate crew and braves the perilous Grand Line, battling tyrants and monsters to become King of the Pirates.Coming SoonLove and Wine - Childhood friends trade lives to see who can find true love. Sean Combs - The Reckoning - A revealing look at Sean Combs' journey from music mogul to controversial figure.Man vs Baby - Rowan Atkinson is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion.Simon Cowel:The Next Act -Simon Cowell's journey to create a hit boy bandWake Up Dead Man - Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.and on ShowmaxNovocaine - When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa - You know there's gonna be fighting!The Chair Company - Follows a man who investigates a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work.Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning - With governments and a figure from his past in pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.Drop -A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone.Enjoy! Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

The war is over, but the silence remains. The South African Border War left broken nations and haunted lives. Unspoken War reveals the hidden cost of a conflict few speak about and even fewer truly understand. This week Gino gets the chance to talk, via Zoom, in depth with the docuseries director Nikki Comninos.Born in Zimbabwe with a father in political exile and a mother busy covering war as a foreign correspondent, it is no real surprise that Nikki would end up working on documentaries. And what a list that is.  Gino and Nikki discuss from 2004's Algemeen Befokte Afrikaans through to last year's Tracking Thabo Bester, and of course, her latest work Unspoken War, a 6-part documentary now streaming on Showmax and also on Mnet.  While the war essentially took place from 1966 to 1989, very few people are aware of the details of it, as it's almost never spoken about, hence the title.As Niiki says, "Almost everybody has a connection to the war, and anybody we spoke to almost felt like they needed to get something off their chest.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Episode 20 of ACP found Gino in a sartorial spin when he was invited to speak at the inaugural Global Creative Summit that just happened in Johannesburg, but more on that later. We kick off the ep with a couple of reviews.First up is Boots on Netflix. based on the book The Pink Marine. This is the story of a gay teen who joins the Marine Corps in the late 70s. A brave move by anybody's standards; homosexuality being a big no-no in the US military at that time.  "I have done everything" claims the next subject under Gino's scrutiny. Being Eddie highlights Eddie Murphy's unique ability to reinvent himself throughout his nearly 50-year career, and his impact on the entertainment industry.Check out Gino's Top Ten Eddie Murphy moviesLife with Martin LawrenceComing To AmericaThe Nutty ProfessorDream GirlsDaddy Day CareShrekDr DolittleMeet DaveYou PeopleBeverly Hills Cop Axel F.Ok, the summit. Timed to coincide with the G20, the Global Creative Summit positioned Africa’s creative economy alongside the world’s leading economic agenda. Clever! The three-day event fixed around five creative areas where Africa is pushing the boundaries: music, film & television, fashion & design, gaming & digital arts, and publishing & literature. Each sector was explored through panel discussions (including Gino) aimed at unlocking growth and investment.Lastly a throwback in two senses. One, a feature that we used to do; the Golden Oldie, and two, back to 2011, with 50/50. Inspired by a true story, this poignant comedy centres on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.And that's all she wrote...Don't miss next week when Gino chats to Nikki Comninos, director of Unspoken War. Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to Episode 19 of ACP and do we have news for you. This week, Gino deals with his son's birthday, faces up to Frankenstein and looks forward to the King of Pop on the silver screenFirst up, while finding animé content for his son's birthday, Gino finds out that ratings vary from country to country and that what is ok in one country is definitely not suitable in others.  Next, after months of waiting, director Guillermo del Toro's ambitious adaptation of author Mary Shelley's classic horror, Frankenstein, rises from the slab on Netflix.The big news is that the long-awaited Michael is finally happening in April next year, "tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world." You heard it here first.Showmax has released the trailer for Masinga - The Calling, due out early December. This edgy crime thriller explores an exiled Zulu detective's return to his homeland, where he is forced to confront the demons of his youth.Plus news of the GEMA awards, honouring innovation and outstanding achievements in TV and streaming marketing.And get ready for a true blast from the past with the rollout of a redcarpet of iconic favourites at Ster-Kinekor this month.Plenty of stuff to take your mind off the gloomy weather.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

November is here already, and to welcome it in Gino takes a quick look at whats hot and happening on the local scene. We kick off the episode with a couple of reviews; Bad Influencer on Netflix is a drama centred round celebs buying and selling faux gear, followed by Slay Queens on Showmax. This docuseries picks up on first-hand accounts of those ladies who hook up for cash.In the news, the SABC TV licence crisis is not getting any better, while Multichoice's Shaka iLembe scored big on the job front.Finally, what to look out for on Netflix:The Big C - A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.My Sister's Husband - Amara deceitfully pawns her sister off to her husband which leads to a marital quagmire.Just Alice - A resourceful wife leads a double life, expertly juggling separate households and husbands while trying to keep her elaborate charade from falling apart.Unspeakable Things - Leanne Morgan discusses her rise to fame, family matters, and her one-time CBD experience. Being Eddie - Follows a comprehensive look at Eddie Murphy's life and career. while on Showmax:Outlaws S2 - Set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, Outlaws is the story of two families at war with each otherThe Unspoken War - In 1993, four years after the last shots were fired in the "Border War", a peaceful end to apartheid was negotiated.Drop - A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone.Last Breath - A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.High Ground - When a mysterious prisoner lands in his jail, a border town sheriff faces the wrath of a brutal cartel in this action-packed thriller.That should keep you going for a while - enjoy!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Where to after Silwerskerm? For 25 year-old Mikayla Joy Brown and her 30 year-old brother Jesse Brown the answer was the prestigious BFI London Film Festival.Their film Finding Optel just started streaming on Showmax last week so Gino grabbed the opportunity to chat to co-director, writer and lead actress, Mikayla, about what inspired her, how they pulled it together and what it was like being at the London Film Festival.The heartwarming, quirky detective story Finding Optel is all about teenager Claire Abrahams who runs a lost and found service. When the community dog, Optel, goes missing, Claire stumbles upon clues to another mystery much closer to home — the disappearance of her troubled older brother. Through quirky encounters, community secrets, and a trail of hope, Claire must solve her biggest case yet.Mikayla chats to Gino about the inspirations behind the film and her desire to paint a different picture of life on the Cape Flats, away from the usual stories of gangsterism and violence.“There is such beauty that exists in those communities. I wanted Finding Optel to portray a different narrative that is more hopeful than harrowing." says Mikayla.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to this week's serving of African Couch Potato; on the menu are some reviews and some news. As an appetizer, Gino looks at School Ties, nominated for an international Emmy and directed by previous guest Richard Finn Gregory, this alarming documentary series explores the culture of sexual grooming at all-boys’ schools in South Africa and is currently on Showmax. Our next course will also be on Showmax, an upcoming documentary series on the Angolan Bush war. Titled Unspoken War, the series takes a hard look at the over twenty year conflict between South Africa and the various liberation movements that eventually resulted in Namibian independence. The series drops on the 12th November.Another new show coming to Showmax is Slay Queens. Starting on the 31st October with new episodes dropping every Friday. Guess what it is about? Young women getting into transactional relationships with often older men for access to their bodies. But you knew that.As a side order Ngicela iVisa invites men to go on the show to publicly ask for a break from their wives so they can "tie up loose ends". It's going to end in tears.   To end proceedings, the National Film & Television Awards South Africa has announced its nominees for the 3rd iteration of the glamorous event. They include John Kani, Jerry Mofokeng, Albert Ntombela and Leon Schuster.Hopefully that has given you an appetite for some good old home-cooked content - get binging.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

What's going down on the local scene? Welcome to African Couch Potato's News, Views and Reviews with your host Gino Shelile.This episode we kick off with Reviews, looking at three shows currently on Netflix.Monster - The Ed Gein Story - Season 4 of the anthology series about high-profile crimes or killers that captured public attention and notoriety. High Infidelity - Larissa finds out her husband is cheating on her with her colleague. She does the unexpected, forgives her husband and decides to team up with him to outsmart the colleague who's trying to destroy their marriage. But not everything is as it appears. Ruth & Boaz - a modern-day retelling of one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. A young woman escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had. While Gino was chatting to Brett Michael-Innes and Nick Ahlers for Showmax’s Khaki Fever, in a previous episode, they briefly touched on The Heart is a Muscle. Good news is, the film has been selected to represent SA at the Oscars. Sticking with silverware, Promax is about to grab the headlines, although this year, the ceremony will be online, which kinda takes the fun out of it all, and to wrap up, there are laughs a-plenty with a new show on Mzansi Magic, Fathers & Sons.And as they say... That's all Folks!  Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

2025 looks like the breakout year for this episode's guest. With a starring role in Amazon Prime's Wheel of Time and her latest film, Finding Optel, having its international premiere at the prestigious BFI London Film Festival later this month, singer, actress, voice artist, writer and business owner Zenobia Kloppers joins us, via Zoom, from Cape Town to talk about her illustrious career.Widely acclaimed for playing the title role in 2019's Fiela se Kind, Zenobia's credit list on IMDB is quite a scroll, including Unseen, Khaki Fever, Lucky Fish, Blood & Water and many more . She took time out to chat to Gino about moving from theatre to the screen, working on Fiela with our previous guest, Brett Michael Innes (Khaki Fever, Fiela se Kind), directing, the difficulty of playing the tragic Sarah Baartman, and her new movie Finding Optel.The film tells the story of teenager Claire Abrahams, who runs a lost and found service where she locates anything and everything that has been misplaced. When the community dog, Optel goes missing, Claire must confront her brother’s painful disappearance to solve her biggest case yet.Finding Optel hits our screens on Showmax on Friday, 24 October.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

News, views and reviews this week as Gino casts his eye over what's happening on the local scene in the world of TV and Film. First up, some big news. Les Français sont ici! - the French are here! In a major shift in Africa’s entertainment landscape, following regulatory approval and realignments with local broadcasting laws, French media giant CANAL+ has officially completed its buy out of South Africa’s pay-TV leader, Multichoice. The deal marks one of the most significant foreign investments in South Africa’s media sector in recent years. Ster-Kinekor brings the stage to the silver screen: The cinema chain brings various theatrical productions to selected Cinema Nouveau venues. From the Met in New York, the National Theatre in London, with Cape Town Opera's AIDA thrown in too, you can now enjoy the theatre experience, at the movies.In the review section, Gino looks at three Netflix offerings:Beauty in Black S2 - Two women with contrasting lives become connected. One fights for survival after her mother forces her out while the other runs a prosperous company.Rebel Royals - Follows Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett as they prepare for their controversial Norwegian wedding.Beauty and the Bester - Did the renowned Dr Nandipha get embroiled in Thabo Bester's prison break? This chilling documentary series examines the enigmatic ties that bound them.And, this just in - Multichoice has scooped 4 nominations for the International Emmys.Chasing The Sun 2  covers the Springboks’ historic 4th Rugby World Cup victory)School Ties directed by our former guest Richard Finn Gregory gets a nod for Best DocumentaryCharlotte Hope from Catch Me A Killer is nominated for Best Actress in her portrayal of Micki PistoriusAnd Koek gets a Best Drama series nomination.We managed to grab reactions to the news from some of those involved in these outstanding productions - so listen to the very end.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

There are many aspects to Film and TV production and usually people specilalise in one particular discipline, either in front of the camera or behind it. Occasionally you come across one of those who doesn't "stick to the script" and does something of everything. One such is Kagiso Latane.Director, Editor, Scriptwriter, Photographer, Voice Artist and Actor, Kagiso joined Gino, via a somewhat less than perfect internet Zoom call, to talk about his start in the industry and his constant drive to better his knowledge with frequent returns to places of learning. In 2014 he obtained an NQ5in Digital Filmmaking from the Big Fish School of Filmmaking. Kagiso also has a Degree in International Relations obtained from UNISA.His list of acting roles is equally impressive, featuring in, among others, Neelan and Kevin, iNumber Number and Showmax’s most popular series ever The Wife.  His short film Entabeni recently won an award at the Durban International Film Festival. Kagiso is also a freelance Transmission Controller at Supersport and when he is not doing that he is busy running Canvus Productions, his film and television production company, offering full-service video production specializing in innovative afrocentric content.Way to go!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Showmax recently dropped the trailer for Season 3 of Youngins, which holds the record for the most first-day views of any series on the African streamer since its relaunch. And you don't have long to wait - its happening this Friday.Gino got the chance to chat to the talent behind the drama’s dynamic casting, actress and casting director, Keneilwe Matidze. Keneilwe is no newcomer when it comes to Showmax Originals, as she cast Adulting, Outlaws, and Law, Love & Betrayal, among others.In this episode she shares how things went down in putting together this energetic, authentic teen cast through Seasons 1 to 3, from the initial auditions to caring for the mental welfare of the actors on set. Not only that, Keneilwe also stars in the show as the vivacious Life Orientation teacher, Pearl.On top of that, Keneilwe consults on and advises individuals in the industry on various legal matters ranging from contractual to labour law.Then, as if that wasn't enough, there is the return of Soul City - watch this space... Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Bringing it home this week! In this episode Gino turns his attention to what's coming up in Jozi. Each year, thousands of young South Africans come together to explore career paths in animation, visual storytelling, gaming, VFX, and tech.  And where do they do this? AVIJOZI, of course.What's that, we hear you say! AVIJOZI is the brainchild of one Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt. After initially pursuing a career as a lawyer, Nosipho discovered her true calling was to apply her legal knowledge in a more artistic endeavor with her husband, Rob Van den Bragt, a visual effects supervisor. The couple co-founded Chocolate Tribe, the Johannesburg and Cape Town-based visual effects and animation studio that has done work for Netflix, BBC, Disney and Voltage Pictures. Nosipho chats to ACP about Chocolate Tribe and this year's AVIJOZI, happening this weekend. The event brings together local talent, global speakers, and high-impact creative energy, celebrating the fusion of creativity and technology. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an aspiring talent, or simply a curious enthusiast, AVIJOZI offers something for everyone. And what's more, entrance is free.Find out more at AVIJOZI 2025 - HomeAnd don't forget to check out, like, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for past episodes of African Couch Potato. You know you want to.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

In our bid to bring you all the best from the African diaspora as well as what's happening in your own backyard, this ep sees Gino reach out to L.A. to chat via Zoom, to Tendayi Nyeke, writer, director and producer of the brand new comedy, Loved Out.Born in Zimbabwe and having lived and worked in Australia, the UK, and South Africa, Tendayi Nyeke's producing work has been nominated for South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) in multiple genres. Also, a former Writer's Guild of SA council member, Tendayi has worked as a film and television executive on several award-winning shows and has written, produced, and directed television programs across South Africa's major broadcasters. Gino finds out what it was like to move around so much before settling in the US, and more importantly, what it will be like screening Loved Out in Zimbabwe.Ten years in the making, Loved Out throws together a toxic frenemy, a high-stakes cooking competition, a shady preacher, and a kidnapped mom in an unapologetic blend of humour, social commentary, and African city glam. Catch it on the silver screen from September 26.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

When it comes to movies, everyone knows who the actors are, but how much thought goes into who actually decided they would be right for the role? Not much, we guess. Well, this ep is going to change all that. Welcome to the "Queen of Casting", Christa Schamberger.Following last weeks chat with the writers/producers of Khaki Fever, it seems only right for Gino to talk to the lady behind the actors. Just how difficult was it finding actors who could do nudity but could also do comedy - not as easy as you might think.From exploratory casting for Harry Potter, looking for the beautiful Helen of Troy for Trojan War as well as two James Bond movies, to winning an Emmy for African Queen, Njinga, Christa has a string of credits to her name as long as your arm. In this delightful chat, Christa takes Gino from her days as a Dance and Drama teacher at Primary school level to being an accredited member of both the Casting Society of America (CSA) and the International Casting Directors' Network (ICDN).Look out for her interesting little Harry Potter anecdote."For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own."Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Game rangers getting into the bush! However you want to read that, that is what this week's episode is all about. Just days before it debuts at kykNet's Silwerskerm, Gino joins the writing/production team and real-life couple Brett Michael Innes and Nick Ahlers via Zoom, to talk about Showmax's new raunchy bush romp Khaki Fever.Set in a game lodge with more sexual tension than a high-school romance, Khaki Fever follows a group of buff game rangers who set up a season-long challenge: whoever manages to nail the most tourists wins the title of “King of Khaki” and the losers’ combined tips. The film is packed with chaos, nudity, wit, and heartfelt friendships, held together by a powerhouse cast including Christopher Jaftha, Anja Taljaard, Trix Vivier, Liam Bosman, and Ilse Klink, plus a scene-stealing French bulldog named Chardonnay. Many of the actors are 2025 Silwerskerm Festival nominees, and their chemistry is evident both on and off screen.To get the most out of your bird watching, Khaki Fever streams on Showmax from Friday, 5 September. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel at African Couch Potato And get on to our WhatsApp channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and ReviewsYes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to this episode of ACP and the latest in news, views and reviews from Gino's couch, but first BIG news!We are making it even easier to get your Couch Potato fix. We are now happening on YouTube, and you can get real-time updates and reviews as they happen on our brand new WhatsApp channel. Look out for Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews.Local news sees the launch of a brand new family intervention show where family members confront each other about underlying issues that have caused a rift in the fam. Watch out for fireworks!On to some reviews, as Gino looks at:Marked - A religious former police officer plans a bold robbery with a sinister ally to fund her daughter's crucial operation. Longest Third Date - When Matt and Khani match on Hinge, sparks fly. They spontaneously fly to Costa Rica for their third date - and get stuck as the world shuts down in March 2020. An extended stay in paradise becomes the ultimate test of compatibility. Trainwreck Storm Area 51 - A viral Facebook event to storm Area 51 draws millions of signups, prompting military warnings. As memes spread about Naruto-running past bullets, UFO hunters and internet personalities converge for what could be a desert party or clash.And that's it. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel at African Couch Potato (give us a day or two to upload the last 2 years worth of eps)And get on to our WhatsApp channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and ReviewsNo excuses for not listening now! Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

When we think of East London, many of us think of the motor industry. What we don't think of is culture, but that is all about to change with the inaugural Cultured Roots Film Festival taking place in the first week of September. The festival celebrates African identity, heritage, and innovation through film—rooted in the cultural heart of East London in the Eastern Cape.ACP caught up with the festival's director, Sivuyiswe Giba, over Zoom, about the what, why, where and when, as well as her own motivation for the event. Sivu is a multi-talented, award-winning film director, producer, and co-founder of SivuBuhle Media. With over a decade of experience in South Africa’s film industry, she has worked on international productions like Mad Max: Fury Road, Black Sails, and Kaalgat Karel, and has produced her own acclaimed documentary uHadi featuring the legendary Dr. Latozi Madosini Mpahleni.The Cultured Roots Film Festival is happening from 4 to 8 September. expect powerful film screenings, exciting live performances, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspiring masterclasses. Get more  info on their FaceBook page.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

ACP has had many online conversations, both nationally and internationally, but this episode is a first; our very first Zoom chat to China. This week Gino talks to fellow APVA winner John Paul Rugaba about his Sangyin Podcast. JP is busy studying at the Central China Normal University (CCNU) in Wuhan in Central China, where he is one of an international student population of about 700, spread across various disciplines.He started the Sangyin Podcast in August 2022, with the goal of becoming a platform for the African diaspora to share their stories with the world. The podcast has grown to became one of the leading African diaspora podcasts in the world and the largest African podcast in China.In the ep, JP talks about the difficulties he faces as a Ugandan podcaster working within the Chinese online eco-system, dealing with guests, and his predictions for the future of podcasts.The name “Sangyin,” means “voice” in Mandarin.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

As the schools go back, it was time for Gino to brush up on his ABC's. Not his schoolwork, but the notorious serial murderer of the 90s, dubbed "The ABC Killer". In 1995, journalist Tamsen de Beer was working the night shift at The Star newspaper when she got a call from someone claiming to be South Africa’s most prolific serial killer, a man who would go on to be convicted of killing nearly 40 women in the space of just over a year. Today, that man is serving 2 410 years in prison. The story of Moses Sithole is told in a brand new three-part true crime documentary series on Showmax, directed by Jasyn Howes, nominated for a SAFTA for his documentary of another Mzansi serial killer, Boetie Boer.In this episode Gino chats to the multi-award winning director about The ABC Killer series, its effect on him, as well as the fascinating range of people involved, from "Charlie" who knew Sithole in prison to Nelson Mandela, and his personal involvment in the case. Don't miss this chilling series, streaming on Showmax.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to African Couch Potato once more. This week Gino looks at what's going down on the local scene, which includes a new movie set in Durban about a group of homeless men surving on society's fringes. Staying in Durban, it's part 2 of the latest Housewives Reunion. We reached out on the socials and asked what you thought, well, here are some of your responses. We take a look at a couple of movies and there is news of special e-Visas that are designed to facilitate film production, conferences and sports tournaments. Good going!God’s Work - Set on the streets of Durban, where absurdity and hope walk hand-in-hand, God's Work is a surreal journey into the lives of four homeless friends who face a daily struggle to exist.Real Housewives of Durban Reunion Part 2 - Your thoughts on the latest crop.Trainwreck: The Real Project X - A Dutch teen's accidental public Facebook party invite goes viral, inspired by the Project X movie. Thousands RSVP. Officials ignore warnings. With no entertainment planned, arriving crowds in Haren turn to rioting.Brick - A couple whose apartment building is suddenly surrounded by a mysterious brick wall must work with their neighbors to find a way out.And the South African Department of Home Affairs is introducing two new digital visa schemes  called “Stages” and “Meets”. STAGES is short for Screen Talent And Global Entertainment Scheme. And MEETS is short for Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme.  Join in and send us your thoughts and opinions on anything we get to chat about right here on ACP, still the #1 Film and Television podcast in South Africa according to Feedspot.com Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Two seasons done, two years of African Couch Potato! So, what have we done? Gino looks back over some of the highlights of the last two years before getting into what's happening on the local scene.Season 5 of the Real Housewives of Durban came to an end last month and next up is The Reunion. From there we head in a direction we bet you never imagined - K-Drama in isiZulu. Yep, it's a thing! Finally, a couple of reviews:The Old Guard 2 - Andy leads immortal warriors against a powerful enemy threatening their group. They grapple with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal, complicating their mission to safeguard humanity.Squid games S3 - the South Korean dystopian survival thriller horror television series returns. And that's it as we kick off season 3. Happy binging!Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Bella Alexandras, a 15 -year-old South African actress, singer, and model, is rapidly carving out an undeniable presence across the global entertainment landscape. Gino managed to get a quick half hour out of her busy schedule to chat to her via a somewhat wobbly link to Paris, France.With a CV that most performers would die for, Bella recently made waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, further nailing her status as a talent to keep an eye on.ACP chatted to this young superstar-in-the-making about how it all started, how she manages school and work, and what it's like being on set at such a young age.Bella’s screen prowess is already out there, having starred in Paramount’s The Infernal Machine alongside Guy Pearce, and her upcoming lead role in I Hate Pirates for Amazon Prime, slated for release later this year, promises to further seal the deal.Beyond the silver screen, Bella is already a recognized face in the world of fashion, having led campaigns for DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, and Sonia Rykiel Paris, gracing the runways of Paris and London Fashion Weeks.Bella says proudly, “South Africa is full of creativity, resilience, and brilliance—and I carry that with me. I’m so proud to be part of a generation that’s redefining what South African talent looks like on a global stage. I never forget where I come from. I carry it everywhere.”Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to African Couch Potato, the #1 spot for the latest from the world of film and TV and African excellence. Kickin' off with acclaimed actor Idris Elba, who at a recent event in London noted the lack of cinemas across the African continent. "I want to build the African Odeon. . . the cinema experience that we have all gone through should be experienced by a new generation, I don’t think it should all be on a phone."Next up, find out how Jo'Burg born 15 year old Bella Alexandras is smashing it in Hollywood.Back to the subject of cinemas - here's a look at what's happening locally on the Silver Screen:The Life of Chuck - A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King's novella.Ballerina - An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.Materialists - A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.How to Train Your Dragon - As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike.Elio - A space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.Bride Hard - When a mercenary group takes a lavish wedding hostage, they have no idea what they are in for as the maid of honor is actually a secret agent ready to rain hellfire upon anyone who would ruin her best friend's wedding.M3GAN 2.0 - Two years after M3GAN's rampage, her creator, Gemma, resorts to resurrecting her infamous creation.F1 - A Formula One driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver.Too much effort? too much cold? Here's a selection that you can grab from the comfort of your own couch:Straw - A single mother navigates a series of unfortunate events, leading her down an unforeseen path where she becomes embroiled in a situation she never envisioned, finding herself at the center of suspicion in an indifferent world.Mountainhead - Four friends reunite during worldwide economic turmoil.A Working Man with Jason Statham (Prime)The Accountant 2 (Prime)Talk To Me (Showmax)Ouija (Prime)Trainwreck Astroworld Tragedy (Netflix)Die Hart 2 (Prime)Shaka ILembe (DStv Now)Breekpunt (Showmax)Monster Hunter (Netflix)And lastly, for more, check us out at Letterboxd.com, the social network for film lovers.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

There's a new superhero coming to Showmax! Iyanu. Iyanu is a teenage orphan girl who discovers she has divine powers and a destiny far greater than she ever imagined, one that involves saving the ancient kingdom of Yorubaland. The animated series is adapted from Nigerian creator Roye Okupe’s popular graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics, the powerhouse behind The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy comics. After its US launch Iyanu ranked as the #1 series on Cartoon Network . With the superhero genre currently at the height of popularity, Roye has made it a goal to create a connected universe of superhero and fantasy stories inspired by African history, culture and mythology. With the second season set to premiere in 2026 and more stories on the horizon, Iyanu is well on its way to becoming a defining franchise in modern animation.Battling time differences, Gino managed to nail down a brief online 30 minutes with Roye in Maryland in the US. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Roye Okupe is an award-winning filmmaker, author, speaker and entrepreneur whose passion for comics and animation led him to found YouNeek Studios in 2015, an avenue that would allow him to pursue his dream of creating a diverse library of superheroes. Roye chats about what got him going, his move to the States and what keeps him busy.Season 1 of Iyanu is now available to binge on Showmax.Screenrant hails it as “The Last Airbender and Black Panther hybrid you didn’t know you needed.” Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Here we are in June, so what better time of the year to talk about Christmas? But not just presents, tinsel and partying, this is about a Christmas slasher, coming from the pen of one Mpho Nkoana. Mpho is a passionate writer and an emerging talent in the film industry and ACP managed to grab him for a quick chat.During his three-year diploma in motion picture production at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Mpho wrote a short thriller called Final Girl, which earned him the distinction of Best Achievement in Scriptwriting at the TUT Film Awards. After a stint as a freelance writer on popular soapie Uzalo, Mpho completed the prestigious Longhope TV writing residency and has recently been offered an internship with Bomb Shelter where he will be working with the team on Shaka Ilembe.He is looking forward to collaborating with fellow creatives and aims to become one of South Africa’s leading showrunners, bringing compelling stories to life on screen. Back to the Christmas slasher... are SA audiences ready for a local sleigh fest? Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026

A mixed bag, this episode, as we mourn the passing of a local star, take a look at what is happening with cinemas, drop a couple of reviews and celebrate the arrival of an award.ACP was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Presley Chweneyagae, who shot to fame with the Oscar winning movie Tsotsi. Gino took his kids to the cinema and asks the question, "What is the future of cinemas?" Rising costs and only a handful of family titles due for release  over the next few months make it difficult not to stay home and enjoy the streamers.Shaka Ilembe season 2 is about to hit our screens, so now is a good time to catch up with all of season 1, available on Showmax. In our review section, Gino looks at the new dramedy Sirens on Netflix, plus some upcoming titles to look out for. He then rolls back the years to 2016 with a look at Me Before You, starring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), on Prime VideoAnd the award? The trophy that just arrived was from our win last year for the Best Lifestyle and Entertainment Category in the African Podcast and Voice Awards, and this was against fellow podcasters from across the continent - which is what we stand for here on ACP, African excellence.Yes? No? Send us a textLet us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:instagram.com/africancouchpotatox.com/[email protected] Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato Gino Shelile’s profile • LetterboxdMember of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting [email protected] Music by The_Mountain from PixabayCHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7© SANTE MEDIA 2026