- National Release on 20 September: The award-winning documentary Don’t Be Late for My Funeral by Diana Keam will be released in selected cinemas nationwide on Friday, 20 September.
- A Personal Journey of Discovery: The film explores filmmaker Diana Keam’s family history through her relationship with Margaret Bogopa Matlala, a former domestic worker who served three generations of her family, set against the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa.
- Celebrate Heritage Day in Style: In honor of Heritage Day on 24 September, cinema-goers are encouraged to wear “proudly South African” attire to screenings and celebrate this significant cultural day.
Following a successful run on the film festival circuit, where it garnered widespread praise, Don’t Be Late for My Funeral, the latest offering from award-winning filmmaker Diana Keam, will be released in selected cinemas across the nation on Friday, 20 September. After captivating festival audiences with its heartwarming narrative, the film now extends its reach, allowing more viewers to experience its poignant storytelling.
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As audiences prepare for the film’s release, it’s important to note that Don’t Be Late for My Funeral takes viewers on a deeply personal journey, filled with themes of discovery, loss, and healing. In her quest for a deeper understanding of her family’s intricate history, Keam turns to a seemingly unlikely, yet profoundly meaningful, source: Margaret Bogopa Matlala, a former domestic worker and nanny who served three generations of Diana’s family. This relationship forms the core of the film, and through it, we are taken on an emotionally charged trip to a small, rural South African town where Diana reconnects with Margaret in her home.
As the documentary unfolds, viewers are gradually introduced to the wisdom and influence Margaret imparted, not only on multiple generations of Diana’s family, but also on her own. With the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa, the film paints a vivid picture of how human resilience and love can transcend societal divides. Moreover, Margaret’s unwavering strength and indomitable spirit serve as the emotional cornerstone, providing a powerful commentary on overcoming adversity.
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Transitioning from historical context to personal narrative, Don’t Be Late for My Funeral brilliantly showcases how compassion from ‘outsiders’—like a domestic worker—can profoundly shape the dynamics within a family. It invites viewers to reflect on their own familial connections, urging them to consider the often-underestimated influence that individuals from outside the immediate family can have on our personal growth and relationships.
In addition to the film’s national release, cinema-goers will be able to participate in a special celebration tied to Heritage Day, which is observed on 24 September. In this spirit of cultural pride and unity, audiences are encouraged to dress in “proudly South African” attire when attending screenings during the Heritage weekend. This symbolic gesture ties into the film’s themes of identity, legacy, and the blending of personal and national history.
For those eager to get a glimpse of the film’s emotional impact, the official trailer is now available to watch online.
This heartfelt documentary promises to resonate with viewers, leaving a lasting impression as it explores the importance of human connection, compassion, and the unbreakable bonds that tie families together, whether by blood or by shared history. As the film makes its way into cinemas on 20 September, audiences are in for a deeply moving experience—one that celebrates not only personal history but the broader narrative of resilience in South Africa.
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Release cinemas:
NUMETRO
Canal Walk
Menlyn
Pavillion
Hyde Park
