National Wake emerged in the late 1970s with anti-establishment ideals and a punk rock sound that won them a massive following within Johannesburg’s underground club scene. Their first and only record was banned by the country’s racist legal system and within a few years the group had disbanded. The two black members, brothers Punka and Gary Khoza, subsequently died tragically young. Eschewing talking heads for a dazzling audio-visual archive, including some great Super-8 footage, debut director Neff has forged a visceral portrait of a dissident group who were dedicated to the fight for racial freedom – a punk legacy that lives on through the band’s legend and its fans.
Mirissa Neff
Director
Gary Khoza
Self
Punka Khoza
Self
Ivan Kadey
Self
Steve Moni
Self
Mike Lebese
Self
Paul Giraud
Self
Jules Sandler
Self
Kelly Petlane
Self
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