Wondering what to watch on Showmax in May? From the thrilling murder mystery series Recipes for Love and Murder to the new true crime anthology Imibuzo and the acclaimed documentary Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, here’s a variety of strong local content to stream this month of May.
Recipes for Love and Murder | Streaming
When a woman who wrote to her seeking advice is found dead, recipe advice columnist Tannie Maria and her colleague, rookie journalist Jessie, spring into action, determined to solve this small-town murder and catch the killer.
Based on the first of Sally Andrew’s bestselling Tannie Maria novels, Recipes For Love and Murder was selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects 2022 – described as being for “curated series with high market potential”, the same strand Donkerbos screened in this year.
Award-winning Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors, Outlander, Orphan Black) stars as Maria Purvis, aka Tannie Maria. The rest of the cast is entirely South African, with Kylie Fisher (Troukoors) earning shoutouts from the likes of Variety and Decider for her breakthrough role as Jessie. Also look out for SAFTA nominees Tony Kgoroge and Jennifer Steyn as chief detective Khaya Meyer and Hattie Wilson, publisher of the Karoo Gazette, respectively, plus a host of familiar faces.
A co-production between M-Net, Acorn TV in America, and two-time International Emmy nominees Both Worlds Pictures, the ten-episode series is directed by SAFTA winners Christiaan Olwagen and Karen Jeynes, who also adapted the novel. The murder mystery is set against the idyllic backdrop of a small fictional Karoo town called Eden, which was largely created in Prince Albert, with gorgeous cinematography by SAFTA winner and Camerimage nominee Vicci Turpin.
TV Fanatic says it’s “delightful… The vistas are stunning! The food is even better… Murder never tasted so good!” while The New York Times says the series, “offers the same mix of human drama, gorgeous landscapes, local colour, and mouthwatering cooking [as the book]” adding that “despite the murders and simmering racial undertones, the show keeps its warm, humorous tone through the quiet, grounded character of Maria, with her empathetic, practical advice.”
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story | Streaming
In June 2023, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story will have its international premiere at Tribeca, one of the world’s top film festivals. The 92-minute documentary reveals a different side to the Springboks’ first black African captain, who led South Africa to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. In addition to documenting his improbable rise to international stardom, the intimate documentary also sees Kolisi open up about his struggle with alcoholism and his relationship with his wife Rachel.
An Orange Films and Star Films production for Supersport, Rise is directed by Tebogo “Tebza” Malope, who’s won Gold at Cannes Lions and the Grand Prix at the Loerie Awards, among other honours. The documentary boasts a soundtrack by Mandisi Dyantis and Haezer, who also edited the feature.
As Tribeca programmer Casey Baron says, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story “jumps off the screen like a fairy tale” and is “universal in its themes of overcoming, community, passion, and forgiveness.”
Imibuzo | First on Showmax with new episodes on Mondays
Imibuzo is a true crime documentary anthology that will answer your lingering questions about some of South Africa’s biggest news stories from the last decade.
Season 1 of the Showmax Original will revisit the murders of Flabba from Skwatta Kamp; Tshegofatso Pule, Phumeza Pepeta, Karabo Mokoena and Tshepang Pitse; LGBTQIA+ musician and activist Lindokuhle Cele; and the children of Sibusiso Mpungose, as well as the Enyobeni Tavern massacre. Other episodes focus on televangelist Tim Omotoso, who is currently in jail awaiting trial on 97 charges of rape, racketeering, and human trafficking, and Sibongile Mali, who went on a spending spree after R14m was erroneously deposited into her account.
Imibuzo is being produced by POP24, part of Media24, who made the reality series This Body Works For Me, which topped the Showmax Top 20 and Twitter trends charts. POP24 also co-produced the SAFTA-nominated true crime anthology Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas.
Entangled | Binge now
Entangled follows Sharon, a 30-something about to marry the love of her life, Sizwe … until Julius, a blast from the past, returns to disrupt their happy-ever-after. Together, they’ll have to navigate this complex triangle, and the consequences of the choices they made in their 20s.
The 13-part 1Magic romcom series stars Phuthi Khomo, Vuyo Ngcukana and AMAA nominee Vuyo Dabula, alongside the likes of Mpho Popps, Senzo Radebe, Pearl Modiadie, Tessa Twala and SAFTA winner Motshabi Tyelele.
Entangled is created by SAFTA winners Katleho Ramaphakela and Rethabile Ramaphakela and directed by SAFTA winner Johnny Barbuzano.
Hands Up | A Showmax film | Stream now
No pressure, no diamond.
In the new Showmax film Hands Up, a hardworking police officer (played by Lehasa Moloi from Rockville and Mrs. Right Guy) learns the love of his life (former Miss South Africa finalist Luyolo Mngonyama) is the diamond thief he’s been hunting down. He finds himself caught between turning her in or running away with her.
Ishmauel Songo co-stars as her ex-boyfriend and partner in crime, along with the likes of Siyasanga Papu and Aubrey Mmakola.
Hands Up topped the movie charts on Showmax on its release. The action-packed rom-com is the fourth Showmax film by executive producer and director Thapelo Motloung. “Hand’s Up is a rom-com like no other, starring some of the best talent of our time and filled with laughter, joy, love and thrills,” says Motloung.
Commissioning editor Zolisa Sigwanda agrees. “Hands Up is a fun movie with a stellar cast, a not-so-typical rom-com which offers twists and turns and all the feels. Lovers and families alike will enjoy this one and all the thrills it offers.”
Dinge van ‘n Kind S1 | Binge now
From Nagvlug Films comes Dinge van ‘n Kind, inspired by Marita van der Vyver’s classic novel.
Melissa Myburgh plays Mart Vermaak in the 1970s, with SAFTA nominee Cintaine Schutte as Mart in the early 90s and Susanne Beyers as Mart in the present. Mart comes of age against the political backdrop of the turbulent late 1970s, while the older versions of Mart find themselves disillusioned in different ways. Look out for rising star Mienke Ehlers as the young Mart’s rebellious best friend Dalena.
The kykNET series was filmed in Cape Town, Hoedspruit, and Pretoria Zoo.
Everything on Showmax in May 2023
To see everything on Showmax in May 2023, including Oscar-nominated films like Elvis, Triangle of Sadness, and Parallel Mothers; blockbusters like Jurassic World: Dominion; and brand-new international series like Love & Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen, click here.
