Life, Above All (2010)

In the unassuming township of Elandsdoorn, nestled just a stone's throw from Johannesburg, exists a life steeped in simplicity and camaraderie. Here, a deep-rooted pride binds the community in a tight-knit tapestry, yet a whisper of dissent can tear it apart. Amidst this backdrop, we meet Chanda, a 12-year-old girl whose diligent nature and promising academic prowess hint at a future filled with potential. However, this serene tableau is disrupted when tragedy strikes. Chanda's life shifts irrevocably when her baby sister's life is abruptly extinguished. The ripples of this loss reach her mother, Lillian, who succumbs to a severe illness, and her stepfather, who seeks refuge in the deceptive comfort of alcohol. Left to her own devices, Chanda becomes the de facto guardian of her younger siblings, even as the once-friendly neighbors recede into an unsettling distance, their whispers growing louder with each passing day. The compassionate “Auntie” Tafa steps in, aiding Lillian to escape the town's growing hostility, but even she cannot completely shield herself from the mounting fear that permeates Elandsdoorn. Faced with a community veiled in silence, Chanda, played with remarkable depth by debutant actress Khomotso Manyaka, begins to suspect that their ostracism is tied to her mother's illness and her sister's untimely death. "Life, Above All," a poignant drama directed by seasoned South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz, is an adaptation of Allan Stratton's internationally acclaimed novel "Chanda's Secrets". It is a testament to the resilience of loyalty and the formidable force of courage that emanates from the heart. Undeterred by the crushing weight of unspoken taboos, Chanda embarks on a quest for the truth, a journey that pits her against a deeply ingrained fear and shame. This emotional rollercoaster captures her battle against the poison that has seeped into her community, unraveling a narrative that pulsates with the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Life, Above All is a drama movie featuring Khomotso Manyaka and directed by Oliver Schmitz.

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