The Spirit of Malombo (1998) - The Big Sound Film Festival

This film tells the remarkeable story of Malombo - a group formed in the 1960s by Dr. Philip Tabane, Julian Bahula, and Abbey Cindi. It is about its founders, and about the sound of the African drum blended into the music of jazz. The film takes us through the history of South Africa, focusing on the survival of a joyful spirit without neglecting the country’s tragic past. The Spirit of Malombo is a touching portrait of the group’s three members, and appeals not only to jazz enthusiasts but anyone interested in South African music and history.

Directed by David Max Brown.

Word of Mouth and Surplus Radical Bookshop are proud to present The Big Sound Film Festival, a month-long celebration of South African Jazz and Resistance, taking place every Monday in November at the Bertha House Bioscope, Mowbray.

Running from 3 – 24 November 2025, the festival will feature a powerful lineup of documentary and narrative films that spotlight the rich and often underrepresented legacy of South African jazz and its intersections with political resistance and memory.

Event Details:

Venue: Bertha House Bioscope, Mowbray

Dates: Every Monday — 3, 10, 17, 24 November 2025

Time: 6:30 PM

Admission: All screenings free to attend, with RSVP required via Quicket.

For media inquiries, partnerships, or more information, please contact:

[email protected]

Follow @wordofmouthonline.co.za on Instagram and Surplus Radical Bookshop on Facebook for updates and surprises.

Presented by:

Word of Mouth & Surplus Radical Bookshop

The Big Sound Film Festival - South African Jazz and Resistance