vernon film society
Bringing the best in world and Canadian film to film lovers of Vernon and the North Okanagan
LIFE, ABOVE ALL
Monday, November 28
Oliver Schmitz
Cast: Khomotso Manyaka, Keaobaka Makanyane, Harriet Lenabe
Run Time: 105 minutes
Country: South Africa / Germany
Year: 2011
Language: Sotho, French with English subtitles
Rating: Not yet rated
This official selection of the 2010 Toronto Inter¬national Film Festival® and Winner of the Francois Chalais prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Life, Above All is a film about a little South African girl with an unimaginably big heart. South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz (Mapantsula, Paris, je t'aime) tells the story of twelve-year-old Chanda (newcommer Khomotso Manyaka), who endures her family’s burdens with unrelenting courage and unending loyalty. Their hardships are emblematic of those long-faced by South Africa: HIV/AIDS, abject poverty and a state of denial.
Chandra and her family live a simple life in the small township of Elandsdoorn, just outside of Johannesburg. When the family loses an infant daughter named Sarah, the township comes together to offer condolences and prayers. With two younger siblings, an absent alcoholic stepfa¬ther, and a mother who appears to be ill with grief, Chanda becomes the family’s pillar of strength.
The community at first appears to be tight-knit and well-meaning; however, as soon as rumours begin to circulate about the ailing health of Chan¬da’s mother Esther (Keaobaka Makanyane) and the conditions surrounding Sarah’s death, the townspeople’s support quickly deteriorates into suspicion, fear and hatred. There is a prevalence of silence surrounding the problems plaguing the community and some of the loudest statements are those that remain unspoken. The facade of small town friendliness is stripped away to reveal anxiety, desperation and self-interest. Compas¬sionate smiles fade into menacing glares and the same hands that once gave offerings are just as liable to throw rocks. The only clear view of this hypocrisy is through Chanda’s introspective and unpolluted eyes.
The core of the story is the bond of unyield¬ing love between mother and daughter. In a role reversal that happens much too soon, Chanda becomes the caretaker and protector of the woman who gave her life and taught her uncon¬ditional love. Life, Above All is an affecting and poignant coming of age story about a remarkable girl who was forced to grow up much too soon.
“Strong narrative drive and a lived-in sense of community distinguish Life, Above All, helmer Oliver Schmitz's traditional but emotion¬ally rich adaptation of Allan Stratton's novel Chanda's Secrets.” – Justin Chang, Variety
