A review of #Tokoloshe #TheCalling by Narendh Ganesh (public figure)
Lx Seth
Sanjay Laljith
TOKOLOSHE : The Calling - My Review
Having been invited by the producers of the movie, TOKOLOSHE:THE CALLING, I was initially apprehensive as horror movies do not fall in the category of my favourite genre.
A Tokoloshe, as I am to understand, is a term in Zulu/Xhosa mythology that means a water sprite that can be invisible and is meant to wreak havoc and evil on the unsuspecting.
This movie, however, angles a view that might not necessary be the conventional.
A local production that, I believe, for the first time attempted to create an aspect of movie-making that was never done before in South Africa - not to the extent of the cinematography and sound effects as has been done in this movie.
One had to concentrate deeply as the plot is not easily apparent and characters rarely proffered a smile, only so as to enhance the intensity of the developing plot and eventual ending.
Every action, with dramatic sound effect accompaniment keeps one riveted throughout the movie, with the audience not knowing what to anticipate and when.
In the Steven Spielberg mould, the movie is a dark tale, told with the compelling myth on which it is based, and the visual effects of some of the character's facial expressions, to say the least, are rather scary.
The movie moves back and forth, transporting the audience into eras of haunting at a hotel where the spirits of evil have lurked and sowed horrific and untold mayhem, and which has been revisitedd to complete a story that needed to be completed to relate the effects of the Tokoloshe.
It is not for the feint-hearted and certainly not for those who enjoy straight-forward plots.
Directed by Richard Green and executive producer Arish Sirkissoon, who also stars in the movie, and co-starring Rubendra Govender (author of Sugar Cane Boy, also actor from Broken Promises 4) and Sanjay Laljith, all of whom put on sterling performances, this is a movie that should be watched by all, not only for its South African flavour, but also for the fact the South African producers can repartee with the best of them.
Govender reminded me of a well-tanned Hannibal Lecter, whose piercing looks, and glaring stares will give anybody the jitters.
Angela Balkovic and Lloyd Grant O' Connor are also play commendable roles in the movie as well.
The movie also introduced child star Lwandile Xaba and it is hoped that better things shine for her on the horizon.
I would recommend this movie to all South Africans - just to be on the edge of their seats - from start to finish.
Narendh Ganesh.
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