{
  "id": 17361795,
  "title": "'Rise: The Siya Kolisi story' raises the bar for South African film",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/rise-the-siya-kolisi-story-raises-the-bar-for-south-african-film",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-31T07:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/entertainment/movies/2026-10-31-rise-the-siya-kolisi-story-raises-the-bar-for-south-african-film/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Phakama and I grew up on Mtshakaza Street, where she had a unique warmth that was hard to put into words. Phakama became pregnant at just 16 years old. Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, directed by Tebogo Malope, chronicles the remarkable journey of South Africa's first Black rugby captain.\n\nInitially, I was hesitant to watch Rise, as my expectations for local documentaries often revolve around production quality. However, I was pleasantly surprised; the film is not a Die Antwoord music video but a genuine portrayal of the struggles faced by many young boys and men in South Africa. The documentary begins with archival rugby footage playing on a television screen, immediately situating Siya Kolisi's story within the country's intricate rugby history.\n\nTebogo Malope's documentary goes beyond merely listing Kolisi's hardships; it compels the audience to experience them. We feel the despair of his childhood poverty, the raw grief of losing his grandmother, and the burden of navigating a fractured reality between a privileged high school and a struggling township. For too long, low budgets and limited resources have set a low bar for local productions, forcing South African audiences to accept subpar quality. Rise shatters this standard, demonstrating that local filmmakers can produce emotionally powerful and technically impressive films that garner international acclaim.\n\nOne particularly striking visual in the film is a shot featuring the text \"only known footage of Kolisi at home,\" accompanied by the sacred King symbol. This poignant image captures the stark contrast between the boy and the man Kolisi has become. The film delves into his father's absence, incarceration, and alcoholism, balancing these hardships with Kolisi's unwavering sense of duty.\n\nAccording to Bheki Dalla, a board member of the African Film DAO, the documentary sets a benchmark for local film and production houses, showcasing the potential for ambition and quality in South African cinema. Dalla emphasized the importance of maintaining high production standards to ensure that South Africa's film industry is competitive on a global scale, rather than being relegated to serving international productions. The screening of Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story takes place on Saturday, October 31, at 5:15 pm as part of the 2026 HACC Film Festival, and tickets can be purchased via Quicket.",
  "summary": "‘Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story’ moves beyond rugby triumphs to explore the childhood, family relationships and social pressures that shaped South Africa’s first Black Springbok captain.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}