Before Rebel Without a Cause, South Africa had ducks. And they were ANGRY.
One of the earliest exploitation films from South Africa, directed and produced by independent film maker Pierre D. Botha. This is a classic example of a ‘restless youth’ film. The action takes place in Johannesburg (The Godless city of the title) and focuses on the youth sub culture of the ‘Ducktails’ (“a white youth gang subculture which emerged within post Second World War South Africa. Rebellious, hedonistic, apolitical and showing little respect for the law, education or work”).
Production
DIY apartheid-era indie filmmaking on shoestring budget.
Director
Pierre D. Botha
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'ducktail' subculture borrowed from American greaser culture but developed distinct Afrikaans slang and fashion, making this a rare transnational youth culture document.
Botha self-distributed this film to avoid apartheid censorship boards, yet ironically the film's moral framing of white delinquency probably helped it slip through.
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