In 2025, Memory Dance/Villon Films undertook a significant restoration project with The National Gallery of Canada…
Jim Goes To Jo'burg / African Jim was South Africa’s first feature film aimed at black audiences and was released in 1949, and launched Dolly Rathebe’s (singing 'Golden City Blues' here) career. She was just 21. Miriam Makeba said she wouldn't have had a career without her. She was said to be Nelson Mandela's favourite singer.
Screengrab before and after. Original SD transfer > 4k Transfer
We have represented, distributed, and held one of the few digital copies for decades, and it's in pretty rubbish condition. But the stars have aligned and we have now restored it in glorious 4k from original 35mm print via the good people R3store Studios.
The film showed at National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa as part of the film's producer Erica Rutherford's career retrospective.
Find out more here in this Essay by curator, Dr Aboubakar Sanogo -
https://www.gallery.ca/magazine/exhibitions/erica-rutherford-and-the-film-african-jim-new-perspectives
Screening of the film African Jim (1949), installation view in the exhibition Erica Rutherford Her Lives and Works at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 2025. © Estate of Erica Rutherford / CARCC Ottawa 2025 / Villon Films (1949) Photo: NGC