Disaster Holiday

I realized while going through my yearly recap that I hadn't watched any African films this year, so I decided to check out this one directed by Rethabile Ramaphakela. I noticed that only two of my Letterboxd friends had seen it, and they both rated it just one star! Still, I was curious enough to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did. "Disaster Holiday" is a South African family road trip movie that mixes humor with family drama pretty well. It's set during what's supposed to be a perfect vacation, but things quickly spiral out of control for this family looking for a chill getaway. While Ramaphakela's direction isn't groundbreaking, it's polished enough to keep you engaged. The script could use a bit more sharpness and wit, but honestly, it wasn't too bad!

On the visual side, the film beautifully showcases its South African backdrop, with stunning cinematography that enhances the story. The vibrant scenery really highlights the chaos that unfolds, driving home the film's message about finding happiness even when things go south.

Overall, it's a film that offers some light entertainment while also making you think about life's unpredictability and the value of family connections.

The ratings don't do it much justice go watch it yourself it's really enjoyable and laughs all the way loved it 🙌I apparently have to write a paragraph so here we go . It's those cliche holiday films kind of like Vacation 2015 starring Ed Helms. If you enjoyed that you'd definitely enjoy this without a doubt. Such an amazing African film one of the best I've ever watched but to be fair I haven't watched a lot of African movies. The writing was amazing pretty good acting from and definitely funny. If you're looking to have a nice laugh with family this is the film for you. Definitely worth watching.

It makes me happy to see movies from other countries not only make movies and have them distributed in a place people like me can find them, but also that they don't just make pertinent social dramas and avant-garde stuff but glossy fluff like this.

I've begin several South African movies lately and sort of forgotten to finish them but this holds the attention well enough.

There is a bombastic, paint by numbers charm in this familiar formula of a father trying to balance to the pressures of capitalism with the pressures of patriarchy i.e., in trying to actually be close to his disenfranchised family.

A lot of it is that predictable humor where someone ignores blatantly good advice and pays the price. I suppose we're supposed to be fine with it because they sort of deserve it but I've seen so much of this anyway.

I like how they switch between English and Zulu diglossically and how his new wife speaks sometimes in Xhosa. Sometimes they use an Afrikaans phrase if the subtitles are to be believed.

This movie will do little to surprise you except in how oddly watchable it is.

This was better than expected. Sure it rehashed a lot of what you have seen from Hollywood comedies, particulary family comedies, but it was done very well. I look for and appreciate nuance in films. Everything doesn't have to be over the top or pretentious. This had enough comedic nuance to keep me fully engaged.

The acting was very good for what was asked of the actors and actresses who were given a fairly light script to work with. The on scene location filming, cinematography and music were on point. The direction, writing and script were good.

Overall I feel its well worth a watch. Its not trying to be too much and if you approach it that way you should have a good time watching it.

Very well done, acting is top notch. Robin Williams premise is reworked a bit as there is no RV only an SUV, but the rest is the same. It's a nice family show however, and his antagonist is wonderfully annoying. The pit falls, too much luggage, bathroom breaks, aggravating siblings, and road hazards are hilarious and well timed. We've all been there! Will he make it to the meeting with a great pitch or be left without a job? His family is unaware of the real reason their plans have been changed from Zanzibar to Durban and he tries to keep everyone in the dark about it. Will his family finally call him Baba instead of by his first name of Joseph? Will they rally around him in the end to provide the support he needs to make his pitch successful? Watch and find out! Enjoy the journey as much as we did!