Felix (2013)

'Billy Elliot with sax meets Buena Vista Social Club in Cape Town, South Africa.' 13-Year-old Felix dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, Zweli, of the famous Bozza Boys ... See full summary »

Director:

Roberta Durrant

Writer:

Shirley Johnston (as Shirley Johnson)

Stars:

Hlayani Junior Mabasa, Linda Sokhulu, Thapelo Mofokeng

6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hlayani Junior Mabasa	...	Felix Xaba (as Hlayani Jr. Mabasa)
Linda Sokhulu	...	Lindiwe Xaba
Thapelo Mofokeng	...	Bra Joe
Royston Stoffels	...	Fingers Fortuin
Elvis Mahomba	...	Wiseman Xaba
Okwethu Banisi	...	Zanele Xaba
Andre Jacobs	...	Mr. Angus Murray
Janet Suzman	...	Mrs. Cartwright
Joshua Wyngaard	...	Ricardo January
Wonga Fasi	...	Marshall Dondolo
Joshua Samson	...	Junior Junior
Wesley Lerwill	...	Rocky Peasbody
Siphesihle Nkonyana	...	Stompie
Langley Kirkwood	...	Jeff Junior
Jeanne Neilson	...	Jane Junior

Storyline

'Billy Elliot with sax meets Buena Vista Social Club in Cape Town, South Africa.' 13-Year-old Felix dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, Zweli, of the famous Bozza Boys Band. His mother, Lindiwe, hates jazz, which she blames for Zweli's death. Because of alcohol, he died before her youngest son was born. Felix's world is turned upside down when he wins a scholarship to a prestigious school. Wanting to prove himself, he auditions for the school concert, but he can't read music. Two aging ex-Bozza Boys give Felix a cash course on the saxophone and teach him about his musical roots and his father's past. Through Felix's determination, his mother Lindiwe is able to forgive her late husband and celebrate Felix's musical talent.

---

Plot Keywords:

jazz | saxophonist | 13 year old | determination | africa | 

---

Taglines:

Inside each one of us lies a talent waiting to be shared

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Music

---

Details

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 2013 (South Africa)

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Penguin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Dame Janet Suzman's first South African film.

User Reviews

South Africa as it Lives and Breathes

This film was written, directed and shot in and around Cape Town. Most of the scenes take place on location in a black township called Langa, where a young boy seeks to connect with his dead father by learning about his life as a very successful jazz saxophone player. Despite his mother's determination to keep him away from the bars and the liquor that is so much of the jazz world, young Felix fights back and finds support in the community. The film is notably written, directed and edited by women and offers a happy production that can appeal to family audiences and those who are just curious about the world of South Africa now, twenty years since the election of Mandela. Both the child actors and the older musicians offer amazing talent and the film has already been recognized for several international awards. Note that some of the film requires reading subtitles, but the youngsters in the audience I saw it with, didn't seem to miss a beat.