Life, Above All

The world celebrated the end of apartheid in South Africa in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, many of the problems created by the system of institutionalized racism persist to this day. "Le secret de Chanda" ("Life, Above All" in English) gives us an example. The movie reminded me of a book that my fifth grade class read about a pair of black South African children having to travel to Johannesburg during apartheid. Here we see the difficulties faced by the country's black population all these years after the racist laws got repealed.*

Spoken mostly in Northern Sotho and filmed mostly with a handheld camera, this movie tests your attention span. In my opinion, that's an extra incentive to see it. After all, how often do you get to see the day-to-day lives of people anywhere in Africa? It might not give you a full insight into the lives of most South Africans, but it's a start.

*In his autobiography "Born a Crime", Trevor Noah noted that the establishment of apartheid in 1948 merely codified what was already the status quo

I recommend reading the book ( Chanda's Secret) first to appreciate the full concept behind the movie. Some parts of the book was cut out which is a shame but understandable. I guess, he had to take into account the length of the movie and the type of movie he wanted to do i.e as a narrated film. However the director managed to include all the characters from the book without cutting some out - so kudos to him. I'm sure most of the actors were first-timers. But each held their part and did a good job. I Love how the characters spoke in their own language. The singing scenes were very effective.The music at the end was so powerful and touching - it really tied and summed up the movie perfectly. Brought me to tears. I really recommend reading the book first though before watching the movie because I think they both compliment each other. But I will recommend it. Great movie for mature young readers and over.

I've been quite surprised if the quality of South African films from the latter years, and this is another example of this quality. And a South African film isn't only Dustrict 9 or Vehicle 19, which both were great, but also film like this little gem, based on the novel "Chanda's secrets" by Canadian Allan Stratton, and directed by the German director Oliver Schmitz, which is born in Cape Town, S.A.

Young Chanda, 12, is checking out the funeral for her little sister Sarah, which have suddenly died, getting to know that the money the mother kept has been stolen. Her father is an irresponsible drunk, and she realizes that her friend is selling services as a prostitute to the lorry drivers down town. Chanda begins to understand a lot about how the world functions. We get to see Chanda's poor neighborhood in Elandsdoorn outside of Johannesburg. Her mother turns ill just after, making even more challenges for Chanda, amongst them a lot of rumors and superstition. A superstition that adds deeply to the challenges in such a poor community.

The film was chosen for the "Un certain regard"-program under the Cannes Festival, very deservedly. I haven't read the novel, but I understand the film makes a good job, though having to let out some if the film to make a film out of it. Fine cinematography work, with great use of light focusing, and great job fond by the actors, makes this a very see-worthy film. It depicts the challenges which might occur in every society, but also the ones hitting especially hard in a poor neighborhood.

It's a beak realistically told film, even if it's a fictional tale. Still the film is not without hope. Chanda makes a big difference in her neighborhood, with her heart and sense of getting things right.

Le secret de Chanda (2010) The South African/German film Le secret de Chanda was shown in the U.S. with the title, Life, Above All (2010). It was co-written and directed by Oliver Schmitz.

The movie stars Khomotso Manyaka as Chanda, a young woman trying to hold her own in a South African township. Her father is dead, her stepfather is feckless, her mother is sick, and she has two half-siblings about whom she worries.

Manyaka is a brilliant actor. Without a superb performance from her, the film could not have been so successful. Her role--and her skill--reminded me of Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone. She's beset on all sides, but she refuses to give up.

Many of Chanda's problems arise from the fact that saving face is more important than almost anything else.

We saw this movie at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre in the George Eastman Museum. It will work well on the small screen as well. It's a great movie-don't miss it!

It takes quite a while for the central conflict (and hence themes) to emerge in this story of a 12-year old African girl and her family. For a while, it seems to be one of those movies in which the protagonist is challenged by a series of apparently unrelated hardships -- misery for its own sake -- and hence it touches the viewer less than it might. Once the story takes shape, though, it becomes very powerful. It is absolutely worth experiencing the seemingly episodic first half to get to the film's payoff. Recommended, and highly so if you are interested (as I am) in the struggle between the rational, modern worldview and the religious. (7/10 for me, means B+, highly recommended).