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Life, Above All

Country: South Africa | Germany, Language: Sotho, 100 mins

Original Title

Le Secret de Chanda
  • Director: Oliver Schmitz
  • Writer: Dennis Foon; Allan Stratton
  • Producer: Greig Buckle; Martin Hämer

CGiii Comment

The denial, the gossip, the witchcraft, the poverty, the corrupt, the impatient, the helpless, the hopeless...

There are also the brave - who all should be applauded, rewarded and helped...

This is Africa, this is heartbreak, this is happening....

Life, above all...


Trailer...

 

The(ir) Blurb...

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.

Cast & Characters

Khomotso Manyaka as Chanda;
Keaobaka Makanyane as Esther;
Harriet Lenabe as MRS. TAFA;
Lerato Mvelase as Lillian;
Tinah Mnumzana as Aunt Lizbet;
Aubrey Poolo as Jonah;
Mapaseka Mathebe as Iris;
Thato Kgaladi as Soly;
Kgomotso Ditshweni as Dudu;
Rami Chuene as Aunty Ruth;
Jerry Marobyane as Mr. Pheto;
Tshepo Emmanuel Nonyane as Mr. Lesole;
Johanna Refilwe Sihlangu as Mrs. Lesole;
Vusi Muzi Given Nyathi as Mr. Nylo;
Patrick Shai as Dr. Chilume