LIFE ABOVE ALL

South Africa, 2010, 106 minutes, Colour.
Khomotso Manyaka, Lerato Mvelase, Harriet Manamela, Keaobaka Makanyane.
Directed by Oliver Schmitz.

A moving story based on a novel, Chandra’s Secrets, by Allan Stratton. Chandra is at the centre of this Soouth African story, a young girl going into her teens but who has strong reserves which she needs to take responsibility for all that happens to her family.

The film is particularly geared to a South African audience with its subject of AIDS and HIV infection, its prevalence in Africa and South Africa, the secrecy that can still surround it, community fears and the shame they impose on those infected and their families, and the difficulties in getting effective treatment.

No, Chanda does not have AIDS. Her stepfather does and has infected her mother leading to the death of their young baby. Chanda is full of common sense, arranges for the funeral, retrieves the money down at a bar stolen by her stepfather, and tends her weak and shamed mother as well as looking after her small step sister and brother who want their father and behave badly towards Chandra. Chandra also incurs the criticism of the villagers (most of whom are prone to gossip) by befriending an orphan girl who goes down to the local truckstop to service the drivers. Ultimately, chandra has to confront members of the family, the wealthy woman next door who is a friend of her mother, and stand, with the friend, boldly against a crowd who want to, literally, stone her.

Some austere audiences will find the sentiment presented strongly and feel it is too sentimental. The film is not for them. It is a film of the heart intended to touch South Africans and tell them a story which could encourage change in attitudes and behaviour.

1. A film for South African audiences? Current issues, especially AIDS and the handling of AIDS? For a worldwide audience? Life, illness, AIDS, fear, prejudice?

2. The authentic village setting, the homes, the church tent, the school? The contrast between wealth and poverty? The truck stop? The countryside of South Africa? The musical score, the local songs, religious songs?

3. The title, the original book being called Chanda's Secrets?

4. The religious background, the opening hymn and The Gates of Heaven, reprised at the end, the church and the worship, the minister, prayer, individual prayer, prayer Christianity and prejudice?

5. The issue of AIDS in Africa, in South Africa, prevalence, secrecy, shame, treatment?

6. The film as Chanda's film? Her age, commonsense, her dead father and her love for him, seeing the dam and pride in his building it? Her ill mother, the remarriage, the stepfather? The mother's illness, Sarah and the baby's death? Jonah and his drinking, irresponsible? Her trying to take care of Iris and Soly and their jealousy of her? Her coping, the death of the baby, visiting the undertaker, the choice of the coffin, the issue of the money, Jonah stealing it, her confronting him in the bar with Dudu? Not telling the young children about their sister's death? The children, going with their aunt, not attending the funeral, not knowing their sister was dead, wanting to talk with her? The aunt coming to the funeral, her judgmental attitudes?

7. Chanda and school, the considerate teacher, her absences? Her friendship with Esther, Esther's story, considered the prostitute, going to the truck stop? The town despising her? Mrs Tafa and her prejudices? Esther and the clash with Chanda, Chanda ignoring her at church? Going to the trucks, her going with the men, beaten, Chanda taking care of her, letting her in the house, Mrs Tafa and her change of heart?

8. Iris and Soly, young, their ill mother, their absent father, playing, Mrs Tafa looking after them? Their father falling down the hole, their wanting to talk to their dead sister, falling down the hole, Iris telling Chanda she was sorry?

9. The mother and her sewing, for the church, her illness, Jonah blaming her for the milk and the death of the baby? Mrs Tafa taking her to the doctor, the fees, Chanda being shrewd and beating down the doctor in his charges? At home, her collapse, their calling in the witchdoctor? The diagnosis, the ceremony, the snake? Her leaving, her family taking her, their shame? Chanda trying to call? Going in the bus, the friendly man at the shop, her critical aunt, the grandmother telling her the truth, her going out to the countryside to find her mother, her love for her mother, the ambulance bringing her mother home?

10. Jonah coming back, in the cart, falling off the cart, falling down the hole and his death? His asking Dudu for help, her refusal?

11. Mrs Tafa, her wealth, using the phone, her critique of people, her friendship with Lilian, calling in the witchdoctor?

12. Chanda's return, Esther in the house, the confrontation by the people from the village, wanting to stone Chanda and Esther? The crowd, Mrs Tafa and her hiding, praying, coming out of the house, defending Chanda, sending the people away, knowing their secrets, threatening them? Her confession about her son's death from AIDS and her shame? Assisting Lilian as she died?

13. A humane film about ordinary people, struggles, poverty, illness, AIDS? The African setting? The theme of continued repentance and forgiveness?