Life, Above All (2010)

A touching mother-daughter relationship that reflects the modern South Africa.

Director:

Oliver Schmitz

Writers:

Dennis Foon (screenplay), Oliver Schmitz

Stars:

Khomotso Manyaka, Keaobaka Makanyane, Harriet Lenabe

13 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Khomotso Manyaka	...	Chanda
Keaobaka Makanyane	...	Esther
Harriet Lenabe	...	Mrs. Tafa (as Harriet Manamela)
Lerato Mvelase	...	Lillian
Tinah Mnumzana	...	Aunt Lizbet
Aubrey Poolo	...	Jonah
Mapaseka Mathebe	...	Iris
Thato Kgaladi	...	Soly
Kgomotso Ditshweni	...	Dudu
Rami Chuene	...	Aunty Ruth
Jerry Marobyane	...	Mr. Pheto
Tshepo Emmanuel Nonyane	...	Mr. Lesole
Johanna Refilwe Sihlangu	...	Mrs. Lesole
Vusi Muzi Given Nyathi	...	Mr. Nylo
Patrick Shai	...	Dr. Charles Chilume

Storyline

In the dusty small town of Elandsdoorn, a South African township not far from Johannesburg, life is simple and serene. A prevailing sense of deep pride tightly bonds together the entire community - but beware to those who step out of line ... 12-year-old Chanda is a hardworking promising young student with a bright future, but her life changes dramatically when her baby sister unexpectedly dies. Heartbroken, Chanda's mother, Lillian, in turn becomes severely ill. Her stepfather drowns himself in alcohol, leaving the young girl to take care of her two smaller siblings. Meanwhile, the formerly friendly neighbors become increasingly distant and gossip spreads. "Auntie" Tafa does what she can to help by getting Lillian to leave town, but not even "Auntie" is immune to the cloud of fear filtering across Elandsdoorn. Suspecting that the community's irrational ostracism has to do with her mother's illness and the death of her baby sister, Chanda demands answers but is met with stubborn ...

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Plot Keywords:

mother daughter relationship | child prostitution | aids | little girl | f rated | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

User Reviews

Will recommend.

I recommend reading the book ( Chanda's Secret) first to appreciate the full concept behind the movie. Some parts of the book was cut out which is a shame but understandable. I guess, he had to take into account the length of the movie and the type of movie he wanted to do i.e as a narrated film. However the director managed to include all the characters from the book without cutting some out - so kudos to him. I'm sure most of the actors were first-timers. But each held their part and did a good job. I Love how the characters spoke in their own language. The singing scenes were very effective.The music at the end was so powerful and touching - it really tied and summed up the movie perfectly. Brought me to tears. I really recommend reading the book first though before watching the movie because I think they both compliment each other. But I will recommend it. Great movie for mature young readers and over.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

South Africa Germany

Language:

Southern Sotho

Release Date:

11 March 2011 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Life, Above All

Filming Locations:

Elandsdoorn, Limpopo, South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,788, 17 July 2011

Gross USA:

$134,461

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$230,529

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dreamer Joint Venture Filmproduction, Enigma Pictures, Niama Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1