You will be used to seeing South Africa on your TV screens in your favourite dramas, like Nqobile and House of Zwide. However, the cities and natural landscapes of the country have made it onto the big screen too.
While Hollywood might be the home of the movies, SA has its own entertainment scene, with many popular venues, sports betting outlets, TV shows and a thriving nightlife scene with some amazing live music venues. The country has caught the eye of several location scouts, which means you will see some familiar spots when you watch these blockbusters.
- The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower is based on a book by Stephen King. It’s an interesting mix of Western and fantasy, where gunslinger Roland, played by Idris Elba, needs to defend the Dark Tower from the Man in Black, Matthew McConaughey.
Viewers are transported to another universe. For the scenery, filmmakers used the Cederberg mountain range and the Karoo desert. They both create an other-worldly feel, while many of the other sets were shot at Cape Town Film Studios.
2. Tomb Raider
Some films use South African scenery to represent another world; others are set in the country. However, Tomb Raider used the landscape to represent Hong Kong. The 2018 film shows Lara Croft in Hout Bay and the Western Cape but gives the impression that she is in Asia.
Alicia Vikander plays the main role, confirming her popularity and talent in Hollywood movies. She’s a Swedish actress that initially started on Swedish TV. Perhaps we can expect the same career trajectory for Nunu Khumalo, who is killing it on her latest project but has also brushed shoulders with stars like Laurence Fishburne on the mini-series Madiba.
3. Blood Diamond
This thriller about conflict diamonds is set in Africa, with various country changes from Sierra Leone to Liberia and South Africa. A large part of the filming took place in SA, with Port Edward, and the V&A Waterfront and other Capetown locations appearing.
The film has a South African casting agent, with many local actors appearing as small roles or extras. Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars opposite Djimon Hounsou, plays a man from South Africa with a convincing accent.
4. Black Panther
The fictional location of Wakanda is the main setting for Black Panther. In reality, the filmmakers used scenery from several different countries to create this special place. You’ll see elements of Argentina, South Korea, and the US throughout the movie.
However, it’s the fantastic natural landscapes of South Africa that give viewers aerial views of the green Wakanda with its many waterways. Many of the shots, including battle scenes, were filmed in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
5. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Black Panther isn’t the only Marvel film to take inspiration from SA. The box office big hit Avengers: Age of Ultron has a key scene in the Johannesburg business district. In it, we see Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man facing the Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo.
It’s a scene of destruction, as the Hulk is on a rampage that means the nearby buildings don’t stand a chance. The 2015 film shows off the urban side of the country.
6. Invictus
Not just a film set in South Africa, the country and its victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup is the inspiration for this story. Famous names in Hollywood are a big part of the production, including Clint Eastwood, the director, Morgan Freeman, who played Nelson Mandela, and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar.
It shows Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as Robben Island. Several SA actors make an impact with their roles in the film. You will see famous names like Leleti Khumalo and Patrick Mofokeng.
7. District 9
Last on the list is a post-apocalyptic film. It’s set in South Africa, has a South African director, and features many actors from the country too. It’s a fantasy thriller that involves extraterrestrials, Earth slums, and biotechnology.
Many of the scenes were shot in Soweto, where you will see the talents of home-grown actors Nathalie Boltt, Sharlto Copley, and Jason Cope.
Final Thoughts
South Africa gains international recognition in many ways. It could be through TV personalities at the African Choice Awards or scenery, directors and actors in Oscar-nominated films. One thing is for sure, the landscapes are beautiful and versatile, which makes them ideal for big and small screen productions.
