A celebration of Art. Life. Joy. Aging.
This creative documentary short plunges into the world of pioneering South African artist Penny Siopis -forged in anti-apartheid resistance, now fiercely protesting the notion of slowing down.
Frames from the Film © Wild Wave Films
Synopsis
For decades, celebrated South African artist Penny Siopis has pushed boundaries — from anti-apartheid resistance painting to seminal feminist works. Now in her seventies, she confronts aging with that same radical defiance. Penny: What a Life! follows Siopis as she transforms the latest chapter of her life into a joyful act of rebellion.
Captured through the intimate lens of a younger female filmmaker, the film is told through the collaborative gaze of a fellow creative making it as much an intergenerational exchange between artists as a portrait of Penny herself: a transfer of artistic knowledge, courage, and creative kinship between two women working decades apart.
Weaving together tactile cinéma vérité, private family archives, and shimmering touches of magical realism — all set against raw, evocative a cappella reinterpretations of South African protest anthems — the film offers a vibrant counter-narrative to traditional stories of growing older. It is an electrifying celebration of an icon who refuses to fade into the background, proving that true creative vitality only deepens with time.
The Team behind the Film
Jo Munnik is an internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker and journalist. Her portfolio spans SAFTA-nominated series to global impact cinema. This is her first fully independent film.
James Carroll is an Emmy- and SAFTA-nominated producer and senior editor whose 20-year career bridges non-fiction film, broadcast television, and cutting-edge post-production workflows.
Zakara Raitt a South African, Frankfurt-based exhibition producer. She has managed and staged more than 80 exhibitions with leading international contemporary artists, including Penny Siopis.
Jason Boswell is an award-winning underwater cinematographer. He brings nearly two decades of extreme-environment expertise to landmark international productions for Apple TV+, Netflix, and Nat Geo.
Lizwi Choir is a self-managed youth ensemble from Khayelitsha whose vocal arrangements and lyrics carry deep ancestral resonance. They bring an evocative sonic layer to the score—translating the emotional depth, defiance, and joyous spirit of Penny’s work into music.