LIFE, ABOVE ALL directed by Oliver Schmitz, written by Dennis Foon from the novel Chanda’s Secrets, by Allan Stratton, with Khomotso Manyaka, Keaobaka Makanyane and Harriet Manamela. 100 minutes. A Mongrel release. Subtitled. Opens Friday (July 15). See listing. Rating: NNN
Allan Stratton’s source novel was written for young adults, and screenwriter Dennis Foon is known as an accomplished author of stage plays for young audiences, but viewers of all ages will be moved by the powerful Life, Above All.
Chanda and her two younger siblings live with her mother, who is dying of AIDS, in a South African town. The 13-year-old can’t even utter the name of the disease in her community. The stigma is too great, the collective fear overwhelming.
First-time actors Khomotso Manyaka and Keaobaka Makanyane are superb as Chanda and her best friend Esther, and as the deeply conflicted neighbour, veteran Harriet Manamela is a knockout.
On how veteran actor Harriet Manamela assisted in the project:
The framing device involving a choir doesn’t work, and the film can get didactic. But it’s also got a strong emotional charge.
