“God’s Work”: Major film inspired by the Denis Hurley Centre

by Admin · July 25, 2025

"God's Work" film inspired by the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban

Top: The five lead actors (left to right): Zenzo Msomi, Ndu Khowa, Thobani Nzuza, Omega Mncube and (front) Mbulelo Radebe. Inset: Michael James (director) with his cast and crew. Bottom Left: Full house for the world premiere at Durban’s Sun Coast Cine Centre. Bottom Right: Director Michael James and 1st AD Lungani Malo filming in South Beach, Durban

A full-length feature film, inspired by the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban, has been met with great acclaim and can be seen in the coming weeks in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“God’s Work” was created by film-maker Michael James (who did part of his schooling at St Henry’s Marist College, Durban), after he spent time volunteering at the DHC during the COVID lockdown. He was so inspired by hearing the stories of homeless men who were living there that he committed to turn their experiences into a film that others would see. One of the characters in the film, portrayed by actor Mbulelo Radebe, captures the sentiment succinctly: “When you’re on the streets, people look through you. I’m tired of being invisible.”

The film was watched by almost 300 people at its world premiere as part of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). One viewer commented afterwards: “This film made me feel so uncomfortable – but in good ways.” In the Q&A that followed, DHC Director built on this: “It is good that we are made uncomfortable when we see homeless people at robots. They do us a moral service because they are a constant reminder of our failings as a society. Their presence should prompt us, not to turn away, but to listen and to act.”

Ismail Mahomed, one of the most respected figures in South African arts, and the head of the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN, who runs DIFF, wrote in his review of the film: “The film goes far beyond being another attempt to raise our awareness about the complexities of homelessness. The film is a masterpiece in its artistry and authentic in its integrity. It is a marvel in its cinematography, meditative with its musical score and hypnotically creative about how it draws you into both the dangerous world and the fragmented lives of the five men. The film is a celebration of how five men, discarded by society, cling on to human dignity to piece their lives together for themselves and for each other.”

As part of DIFF, “God’s Work” can be seen at the following venues and times:

Saturday, 26 July at 1pm at the Denis Hurley Centre Durban (free screening; no need to book)
Sunday, 27 July at 5pm at Sterkinekor Watercrest, Durban
Saturday, 2 August at 12 noon at the Bioscope, Johannesburg
Sunday, 3 August at 12 noon at the Labia Theatre, Cape Town

For more information see the Denis Hurley Centre page on Facebook