In 1966, Ernest Cole was forced to leave South Africa and smuggle his photographs out of the country. His images, which document apartheid in a shockingly powerful way, became famous abroad, but he himself was never allowed to return to his beloved homeland and died in exile.
Filmmaker Raoul Peck has dedicated a remarkable film to him and his photography, which premiered last year in Cannes, was recently shown at the Joburg Film Festival, and is now being screened at the DSJ – a history lesson of a special kind, made possible with the support of the production company Known Associates.
Special thanks also go to our guest, Leslie Matlaisane, Cole’s nephew, who appears in the film himself and took the time to speak about the making of the film and about his uncle – and of course, to answer questions from our students.
December 17, 2025
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