African Couch Potato

Gino Shelile
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African Couch Potato is a South African perspective on all things film and television. Hosted by award-winning TV producer, Gino Shelile, it mashes up in-studio interviews with industry professionals, titles to check out each week, a current film or series review, and a look at old movies that are worth rewatching.

  1. 2d ago

    S3 Ep51 Miguel Eek on “Amilcar”

    Something different this week. Among the nearly 60 titles on offer at the recent Encounters documentary festival was Miguel Eek's Amilcar. Amílcar Cabral (1924-1973) was a thinker and an African leader. He led the anticolonial armed struggle in Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde against Portugal but was assassinated 8 months before those countries became independent.  Miguel Eek was born in Madrid in 1982. Raised between Mallorca, Stockholm and Barcelona, where he graduated in Documentary Filmmaking at the Cinema and Audiovisual School of Catalonia (ESCAC). He completed his training at the Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki. Amilcar is a decade long project, drawing on letters to his wives, which seeks to move beyond iconography and return Amílcar Cabral to the realm of the human, the fragile, and the unfinished. ACP managed to grab a fascinating few minutes with the filmmaker, between him delivering a Live Masterclass to an enthusiastic audience at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg on the complexities of running a 10 year movie project, and having to rush off to a sponsor's lunch.  And a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a whole bunch of rewards depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    16 min

  2. Jun 16

    S3 Ep50 Disney Gets Busy

    Toy Story 5 comes out this week. And, it features our very own Tyla, so you can hear from her and also catch Gino's take on the latest version. Plus, it's Youth Day. It's an all Disney ep as Gino also attended the Disney+ 2026 content showcase and he shares some of what went down and what to look out for this month. Not Suitable For Work - follows the lives of 5 workaholics as they navigate big city life and relationships in Manhattan.Hoppers -an environmentalist girl devotes her energy fighting the city mayor instead of concentrating on school work.Will Trent S4 - a Special Agent who takes on gripping new cases. Inspired by Karin Slaughter’s novels.Alice & Steve - a Hulu Original series from the UK.Best of the World with Antoni Porowski - explores some of the world's most extraordinary destinations.The Bear S5 -  A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop.Avatar: Fire and Ash - Jake and Neytiri's family grapples with grief, encountering a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.ESPN - catch all the latest sporting action. We give you a head's up on the launch of Disney+ Quiz Nights across the country from the 24th of June, and Gino gives the lowdown on our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video so you can watch as well as listen. There's a whole bunch of rewards depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps. Dankie! And finally, it being football season, a quick look at just how Messi got discovered in Messi: The Forgotten Tape, also on Disney+.    Have a fabulous Youth Day! Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    14 min

  3. Jun 8

    S3 Ep49 Mandisa Zitha on Encounters Film Festival

    “Encounters is an opportunity to slow down and look behind the headlines to better understand our world.” - so says Mandisa Zitha, Festival Director of the annual Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. The 28th edition of this festival is in full flow in Cape Town, Johannesburg, as well as a small run in Pretoria and will continue until June 14. This year’s line-up includes a host of South African films alongside storytelling from around the world. In total 58 films from 33 countries have been selected. There will be world premieres as well as several international documentaries getting their first screening on the African continent. Gino managed to grab a slot with the busy Mandisa to dig deeper into her love of documentaries, what got her involved with Encounters, and how she manages all three cities at the same time, as well as the host of both national and international filmmakers. Mandisa is not called the "ambassador for the SA film industry" for nothing. To get the full picture of what's happening and to get your festival tickets, check out encounters.co.za  Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    21 min

  4. Jun 2

    S3 Ep48 Jet Li, Netflix Watchlist, Encounters

    Welcome to the latest News, Views and Reviews with ACP, still the number 1 film and television podcast to listen to in S.A. according to Feedspot.com. Kicking off the week with a bunch of stuff to check out on Netflix: Season 4 of Perfect Match Season 2 of Murder MindfullyA new three part documentary on Kylie plus her "live-in-concert" The sports documentary series Untold hits the UK and first in the spotlight is footballer Jamie VardySacha Baron Cohen returns to the screen with the comedy Ladies Firstand coming very soon is the South African produced biblical story of David. You can check out the soundtrack here       Next up is Gino's review of Rafa, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at Rafael Nadal, his personal life, unseen archives, and his journey to return to competitive play in 2024 after overcoming injuries in 2023. Exclusive Books answered Gino's prayers and sent us Jet Li’s Beyond Life and Death, so our next Movie Book Club will go there. From Kung Fu to comedy. In our second review, Sacha Baron Cohen returns with Ladies First, where a male chauvinist is transported to a matriarchal society, facing challenges from a formidable female version of himself. And finally, the documentary festival, Encounters, is about to kick off, but more on that to come. For tickets and more info, head to the Encounters site.  And a final final, Gino won a game of Baccarat at the new Jade Casino - move over Mr Bond!   Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    9 min

  5. May 25

    S3 Ep47 Movie Book Club: “The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood

    Welcome to ACP and our brand new Movie Book Club episode. This is a new idea where we cover books that are worth reading, especially if they have been turned into screenplays such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, 50 Shades of Grey, Game of Thrones and many more. From our friends at Exclusive Books, we got, among others, The Testaments by Margaret Attwood, currently streaming on Disney Plus. The Testaments is the sequel to the well known The Handmaid's Tale, and is set roughly four years later. The series focuses on a new generation of young women in the dystopian world of Gilead. The story follows Agnes, the biological daughter of Offred, and Daisy, a teen brought into Gilead from outside. Both attend Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is enforced brutally and framed as divine duty. Also check out Gino's list of other books that are either currently streaming on Disney Plus or are on their way: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian AndersonSnow White Sing-along for a more interactive experienceMufasa: The Lion KingImpossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, still in development by the studios. Freakier Friday the sequel to the adaptation of Mary Rodger’s “Freaky Friday” which came out in 2003Project Hail Mary by Andy WeirTime to get your read on. Check out your local store or online at exclusivebooks.co.za The Testaments supplied by Exclusive Books- the start to every great read.  Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    20 min

  6. May 18

    S3 Ep46 Waleed Al-Yamani and Richard Gau on “Martyrs”

    Welcome to ACP, the number 1 film and television podcast to listen to in S.A. according to Feedspot.com, and this week do we have news for you! Coming soon; not just a brand new totally South African action series, but hopefully the start of a whole new hig-impact, African rooted universe. Marvel, you have been warned! This week Gino had the chance to chat to series creator Waleed Al-Yamani, alongside lead actor Richard Gau to talk all things Martyrs.  The mini-series follows the lives of a detective partnership between Rian, a gut-driven rebel, and Lupita, a disciplined military orphan. The pair discover the body of a woman doused with a mysterious drug. This discovery leads them into an underground world, where they uncover a series of dark secrets.  The series is a collaboration between Waleed, and Richard's People's Republic of Entertainment, and will launch on YouTube on June 27. Save the date - it's gonna be hot! Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    39 min

  7. May 11

    S3 Ep45 Dowelani Nenzhelele on “The People vs VBS”

    Imagine waking up to find your life savings are gone forever. Well, that's what happened to thousands of people in 2018, many of them from rural and low-income communities. who had deposited or invested with VBS Mutual Bank, when it was exposed as the epicentre of a massive fraud and corruption scandal.  In today's ACP, Gino talks, via Zoom, to local documentary filmmaker Dowelani Nenzhelele, whose own family lost hundreds of thousands of rands, about, not only the personal cost, but the pain and suffering visited on the victims, many who still have seen nothing of their missing money. Dowelani talks about how working alongside Idea Candy helped him bring the whole sorry story to the screen. The People vs VBS follows the money to show how a small mutual bank became entangled with multinational auditors, political parties, a royal household and a former president. You can stream The People vs VBS on DStv Stream and don't forget to check out Backpack Films to find out what Dowelani and the next generation of film makers are up to. Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    23 min

  8. May 4

    S3 Ep44 Jason Jacobs & Devon Delmar on “Variations on a Theme”

    Variations on a Theme, a South African drama by directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar,  just won the coveted Tiger Award for best competition film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and has now gone on to win the Best African Film award at the Joburg Film Festival 2026 Gala Awards. So, obvs, we needed to talk to them. Gino got hold of them via Zoom to get some insight into the "whats?" and "whys?" behind the film.  It tells the story of an elderly goat herder, Hettie, who falls victim to a scam promising long-overdue reparations for her father’s WWII service. As she waits for money that will never come, the disruptions of her 80th birthday threaten to strip away the last of her independence.  Devon adds, “Although the film is fictional, it's based on the real experiences of people who have historically borne the brunt of a lot of injustices and continue to fall victim to these scams". The Tiger Competition jury said: “Possessing a deep poetic language, we found this to be a thoughtful and moving portrait of a community living under the spectre of colonial legacies and familial bonds in this world and the next.” You can catch Variations on a Theme at Ster-Kinekor V&A Nouveau in Cape Town or at Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg.  Yes? No? Send us a text Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is: instagram.com/africancouchpotato x.com/africancouchpot gino.arlechino@gmail.com WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews  YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube  https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato  Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA) Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting ted@aten.co.za Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7 © SANTE MEDIA 2026

    22 min
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About

African Couch Potato is a South African perspective on all things film and television. Hosted by award-winning TV producer, Gino Shelile, it mashes up in-studio interviews with industry professionals, titles to check out each week, a current film or series review, and a look at old movies that are worth rewatching.

Information

  • Creator
    Gino Shelile
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 African Couch Potato
  • Show Website
    African Couch Potato