Zulu Love Letter (2004)

A militant tribute to the commitment of South African women, carried by a fierce energy marked with rage and despair.

Director:

Ramadan Suleman

Writers:

Bhekizizwe Peterson, Ramadan Suleman

Stars:

Pamela Nomvete, Mpumi Malatsi, Sophie Mgcina

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pamela Nomvete	...	Thandi (Thandeka Khumalo) (as Pamela Nomvete Marimbe)
Mpumi Malatsi	...	Mangi
Sophie Mgcina	...	Me'Tau
Kurt Egelhof	...	Moola
Connie Mfuku	...	Ma'Khumalo
Patrick Ndlovu	...	Bab'Khumalo
Hugh Masebenza	...	Bouda'D
Richard Nzimande	...	Mike Peters
Patrick Shai	...	Khubeka
David Butler	...	Green
Samson Khumalo	...	Dhlamini
Ian Roberts	...	Moolman
Lerato Moloi	...	Dineo Tau
Jerry Mofokeng	...	Lucky Sithole
David Mohloki	...	Sipho

Storyline

In Johannesburg, two years after the first democratic elections, Thandeka, a black journalist, lives in fear of her country's past, to the point of no longer being able to work and going from failure to failure in her relations with Mangi, his deaf and mute daughter. Until one day an old woman, Me'Tau, shows up at the newspaper. Ten years earlier, Thandeka witnessed the murder of her daughter, Dinéo, by a secret police team. Me'Tau wants the journalist to help him find the culprits and make them confess where the body was buried, so that Dinéo's remains can be buried according to tradition. What the two women do not know is that the three assassins are prowling around them. What Me'Tau cannot know is that Thandeka has already paid for this story, for daring to confront the white apartheid machine.

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Genres:

Drama

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User Reviews

brilliant, real, and different

The most honest movie about the legacy left by apartheid and the problems people have with the way things have turned out. The story is sadly a common one in our history, but the way the subject is handled is both new and accurate. I saw a screening in the company of a number of people who have lived through similar experiences, and the response was overwhelmingly positive, though obviously emotional. It's a much more real portrayal of the Truth and Reconcilition Commission and it's inherent problems than Red Dust, and much less influenced by foreign interests than the recent spate of movies about Africa. It's not an easy one to sit through, but well worth it.

Details

Country:

France South Africa Germany

Language:

English Zulu

Release Date:

5 August 2005 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Zulu Love Letter

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollybell, FMB2 Films, ZDF/Arte

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1