Le secret de Chanda (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

6 wins & 6 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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

South Africa Germany

Language:

Southern Sotho

Release Date:

1 December 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

Le secret de Chanda

Filming Locations:

Elandsdoorn, Limpopo, South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,788, 17 July 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$134,078, 20 November 2011

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

Did You Know?

Connections

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

User Reviews

Strong

This is very tender-hearted film and well acted. It grows on you so bare with it, because the characters develop through-out. It took sometime before I felt being pulled into this story, but I am very happy I stayed with it. The film has a very strong feeling of authenticity. It's not trying to swindle you with false emotions; it never sinks into false melodrama.

The theme is of struggle – and the resiliency of women – more particularly a young girl growing up. The struggles are with poverty, AIDS, abandonment, and ignorance. The individuals face their issues with a stoical, but telling emotion. The performances are strong and intense. The ending brings us a soulful resolution.