"A country without documentary films is like a family without a photo album."

This quote by Patricio Guzmán, the Chilean filmmaker, is one that always resonates with me—especially in conversations with Jack. Jack and I have always shared a deep devotion to South African documentaries and the way they captured the pulse of Mzansi in the ’80s and ’90s.

That same spirit is a driving force behind Jack’s work. His writing and films offer a window into the vibrant melting pot of Johannesburg, South Africa—woven together with fashion, music, humor, and narrative.

“The Mayor’s Grandson…”—the title of a documentary I dream of making about my dear friend, Jack Markovitz. It’s a running joke between us, something we talk about every time we see each other.

But first, here’s an introduction to the human behind the story.