EVERYTHING ON SHOWMAX THIS JULY
As the winter chill sets in, Showmax is heating things up with an exciting lineup of shows and documentaries premiering this July. From gripping true crime stories to hard-hitting documentaries and a selection of binge-worthy series, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a closer look at some of the must-watch content coming your way this month.
For anarchists and Blumhouse fans: THE ANARCHISTS | Binge from Wednesday, 10 July
From HBO and Blumhouse Productions (Get Out), “The Anarchists” follows a cast of dreamers, fugitives, and crypto-enthusiasts whose annual gathering in Acapulco, Mexico, becomes a massive anarchist community. But what begins as a hopeful experiment to live out a radical new way of life proves to be more challenging and dangerous than anyone could have expected.
Unfolding over six years, the six-part documentary series chronicles a strange and deadly series of events that began with an impulsive one-off gathering in 2015 to promote anarchy in its purest form – an ideal espousing the absence of government with absolute individual self-rule.
“The Anarchists” features candid, first-hand accounts from the reluctant figurehead of the movement, Canadian entrepreneur-turned-provocateur Jeff Berwick; anarchy activists Lisa and Nathan Freeman, who left the US with their children to find a freer life in Mexico; and John Galton and Lily Forester, American fugitives on the run from drug charges, among others.
For local true crime fans: SCHOOL TIES | Binge from Saturday, 13 July
From local true-crime pioneers IdeaCandy (Devilsdorp, Tracking Thabo Bester) and Steinheist director Richard Gregory, “School Ties” confronts the grooming and sexual abuse of learners in some of South Africa‘s most prestigious boys’ schools, unravelling the trauma endured by victims and the culture of silence that allows this to happen, as well as the responses of authorities, schools, and society at large.
The four-part series examines the tragic suicide of 16-year-old Thomas Kruger on the grounds of the elite St Andrew’s College in Makhanda; looks at how a former Parktown Boys’ High School educator allegedly normalised violent and sexual behaviour; and delves into Julio Mordoh‘s suicide a decade after allegedly experiencing abuse by his school sports coach. The final episode investigates a ring of school coaches accused of sex offenses and speaks to South African Police Service Colonel Heila Niemand, who led the operation.
“School Ties” highlights the red flags that could point to abuse and offers insights from child protection specialists and experts on children’s rights, including Childline South Africa CEO Dumisile Nala, Child Protection and Development specialist Luke Lamprecht, clinical psychologist Marita Rademeyer, child protection activist and journalist Robyn Wolfson Vorster, and Deon Wiggett, the author of My Only Story: The Hunt for a Serial Paedophile.
For everyone who cares about freedom of the press: ENDANGERED | Stream from Wednesday, 24 July
An official selection at Tribeca, “Endangered” chronicles a year in the life of four journalists living and working in democratic countries where freedom of the press has historically been considered a “given”. Yet, as online misinformation proliferates and world leaders brazenly denigrate the press, mistrust of traditional media is on the rise, and journalists are increasingly facing situations more typically encountered in war zones or autocratic states.
The HBO documentary film is directed by Oscar nominees Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing (The Boys of Baraka, Jesus Camp), and executive produced by Ronan Farrow, winner of the International Documentary Association’s Truth to Power Award, whose investigative reporting on Harvey Weinstein won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize.
“Endangered” has a rare 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Times (UK) calling it a “thoughtful, depressing and, if you’re a journalist, utterly enraging documentary,” adding, “Actually scrub that… [it] should be disturbing for everyone capable of critical thought.” As Variety says, “You can tell the filmmakers, like their subjects, are struggling to suppress a scream.”
Other highlights on Showmax this July include:
- Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap: The Showmax Original drag queen reality series from the creators of The Mommy Club
- The Regime: HBO series starring Kate Winslet, one of BBC and Vogue‘s best series of 2024 so far
- The Beekeeper: 2024 blockbuster starring Jason Statham
- Mean Girls: 2024 blockbuster featuring Reneé Rapp
- Anyone But You: 2024 People’s Choice nominee starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell
- Blue Beetle: 2024 Critics Choice Super nominee
- The Curse: A24’s series starring Emma Stone, dubbed “the weirdest, most unforgettable show of 2023” by Entertainment Weekly
- Killing It (Season 2): Critically acclaimed second season starring Craig Robinson (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
- Sibongile & The Dlaminis: Mzansi Wethu‘s most-watched show ever
For more information and to see everything headed for Showmax, check out the most eye-opening documentaries to stream now on Showmax.
