For decades, Barry Ronge was the definitive voice of South African cinema culture. Dominating screens and airwaves across SABC3, M-Net, and Radio 702 alongside his sharp print columns, Ronge wielded a level of cultural influence virtually unheard of in today’s fragmented media landscape. Following his death in 2022, fellow film critic and screenwriter Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling set out to preserve that legacy.
In a recent broadcast with host Nkanyiso Ncube (NK) on CCFM, Aspeling opened up about developing the upcoming documentary feature alongside Jordy Sank and Barry’s partner of 47 years, Albertus van Dyk. ‘Ronge is Right’ (working title) aims to chronicle Ronge’s public stature, his fiercely guarded private world and the campaign to bring his story across the finish line.
An Oasis in Johannesburg
The documentary originated from an unexpected personal connection. After Ronge’s passing, Aspeling published a written tribute that caught the attention of Ronge’s long-term partner, Albertus van Dyk.
“Albertus got in touch with me through my sister,” Aspeling explained. “And from that point, it was just like speaking to Barry, who’s actually also such a film lover and in many ways has been beside Barry the whole way through, in that front-row seat that he’d always sit in.”
Van Dyk invited Aspeling to their Johannesburg home – a hidden sanctuary completely removed from the city’s frantic pace.
“When I went up to visit their Joburg home, I had no idea of how they live. This house had glass all around it, all these sort of reflective surfaces, and light really streams into it. It’s like a piece of Noordhoek… the lush garden, they called it the Unicorn Garden. In the middle of Joburg! It was wild, and it was beautiful.”
Beyond the architecture, the home housed an extraordinary archive of cinema history: a 1,700-volume book collection, complete with rare treasures such as a dedicated volume signed by Peter Jackson and the cast of The Lord of the Rings.
Unapologetic Criticism in an Age of Hype
Ronge’s encyclopaedic knowledge was matched by an uncompromising candour that could make or break a film’s local theatrical run.
“He had very strong opinions, knew what he loved and knew what he hated,” said Aspeling. “I think he was just outspoken, honest, unapologetically himself. Those things were very inspiring to me as a kid, because I had never seen someone really light up like he did when he was talking about film.”
Aspeling recalled a conversation with a University of Cape Town lecturer who remembered Ronge awarding Terrence Malick’s acclaimed war epic The Thin Red Line a scathing four out of ten:
“Barry just had no time for this thing. And because he was so powerful and his opinion carried so much weight, and he had such an influence on the art-house audience, that film was off screen within a week.”
Contrasting Ronge’s era with the modern rise of social media promotions, Aspeling noted that contemporary film commentary often sacrifices critical integrity for algorithm-friendly enthusiasm:
“He was viral before viral was a thing, and he was a personal brand before we started thinking about branding. What’s happening now, which is quite sad, is that influencers are now being seen as the promoters of film… They’re really just trying to pump it up and get more eyes on the films… You’re kind of listening to the hype, and sometimes that doesn’t come through with a robust argument that Barry would have brought.
The internet has made it possible for everyone to have a loudspeaker, and it’s kind of opened it up wide. And now we’re realising that we actually have to close that diamond shape by moving back towards having voices that we can trust and expertise that means something – people that have substance to what they’re saying.”
Honouring an Enigma
Ronge is Right aims to capture both the celebrated broadcaster and the quiet intellectual away from the cameras. Featuring interviews with cultural figures such as veteran actor John Kani, the production examines Ronge’s life directly through the lens of his relationship with Van Dyk.
“I would hope that Barry would sit down and just laugh at it,” Aspeling reflected. “I would hope that he would say it did his life justice, that he was able to see his world from a fresh perspective, and that it was a heartfelt tribute. He’s like an interesting guy, because he’s got this public life, but then he was so fiercely private at the same time. He’s an enigma in a way.”
Supporting the Production
The production team is currently running a crowdfunding drive on BackaBuddy to finance licensing fees for archival broadcasting footage, conduct key interviews and finalise post-production.
Official Website & Trailer: Prospective supporters and film buffs can view the preview and follow production updates at barryronge.com.
Crowdfunding: Contributions can be made via the official BackaBuddy campaign linked through the main portal.
Updates: You can follow @sanktuaryfilms or @splingmovies across social platforms for development news.
With South African non-fiction cinema enjoying global acclaim through films like My Octopus Teacher and Searching for Sugar Man, Ronge is Right represents an essential effort to document the man who first taught generations of South Africans how to watch, challenge, and love the movies.