South African female empowerment flick on DVD

Set in post-Apartheid South Africa, this female empowerment flick was is a most impressive and engaging ensemble piece which devotes equal time to each of its principals’ relationship issues, one of whom is Black, one White, one colored and Muslim. The three women are all connected by the animal shelter, which serves as the hub, which holds the story together.

Housekeeper Lindiwe (Nthati Moshesh) is a single-mom struggling to find a way out of the slums to provide better opportunities for her family. She has an ardent admirer in Jean Claude (Eriq Ebouaney), a refugee from the Congo who is trying to decide whether to follow his heart or to seek political asylum in the West.

Sharifa’s (Quanita Adams) marriage is in crisis because her husband (David Isaacs) has been hesitant about visiting a fertility clinic, even though she has been unable to become pregnant. Finally, we have Kate (Debbie Brown), the self-destructive owner who gets along better with dogs than she does with men. As the movie opens, we find her emotionally involved with a married man, while ignoring the overtures of a kindly widower (Morne Visser) who is also interested in her.

What makes this movie marvelous is how deftly it incorporates a social consciousness right into the plot, such as when Kate’s boyfriend tries to rape Lindiwe while she is cleaning his home. When her enraged son learns of the attempted violation, he throws a rock through the creep’s window and is arrested. A showdown looms as Kate must choose sides. Will she remain loyal to a White guy who has never been there for her, or help free a kid who she knows had good reason to act out?

A socially relevant and meaningful film which supplies plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about humanity’s prospects.

Excellent (4 stars)

PG-13 for sex, expletives, violence and mature themes.

In Afrikaans, English and Xhosa with subtitles

Running time: 107 minutes

Studio: Metro Home Entertainment