Loyiso Gola: Unlearning

About the movie

In UNLEARNING, Gola deals with issues of history, identity, culture, race relations, politics and decolonization - all the while questioning our prejudices, preconceived notions, long standing traditions, cultural beliefs and societal norms. He brings together sharp and philosophical contemplations delivered with satirical charm and wit. It's a courageous and hilariously comedic attempt at opening up our hearts and minds to imagine a new normal that is more enlightened, understanding, inclusive, open minded and future forward. After all the economic, political and significant social upheaval that 2020 has served the world, UNLEARNING is a set that seeks to unite and rather than divide, that celebrates rather than denigrates and focuses on our shared humanity more than it highlights our differences.Six years in the making, Gola first performed UNLEARNING at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017 and has subsequently travelled to London, Grahamstown and New York with the show. The Netflix special was filmed at the The Zeitz Mocaa (Museum of Contemporary African Art) in Cape Town. The Zeitz Mocaa is the largest art museum in Africa, and the largest museum in the world showcasing the art of Africa and its diaspora. Zeitz-Mocaa's executive director and chief curator states that the museum's vision is to provide a "platform for Africans to tell their own story and participate in the telling of that story." UNLEARNING was shot in the central atrium of the museum, with 3D projection mapping interacting with the unique architectural design of the atrium, and the stage design utilising the building structure to create a 'theatre in the round' experience.