Life, Above All Page #2

Synopsis: In the dusty small town of Elandsdoorn, a South African township not far from Johannesburg, life is simple and serene. A prevailing sense of deep pride tightly bonds together the entire community - but beware to those who step out of line ... 12-year-old Chanda is a hardworking promising young student with a bright future, but her life changes dramatically when her baby sister unexpectedly dies. Heartbroken, Chanda's mother, Lillian, in turn becomes severely ill. Her stepfather drowns himself in alcohol, leaving the young girl to take care of her two smaller siblings. Meanwhile, the formerly friendly neighbors become increasingly distant and gossip spreads. "Auntie" Tafa does what she can to help by getting Lillian to leave town, but not even "Auntie" is immune to the cloud of fear filtering across Elandsdoorn. Suspecting that the community's irrational ostracism has to do with her mother's illness and the death of her baby sister, Chanda demands answers but is met with stubborn silenc
Genre: Drama
Director(s): Oliver Schmitz
Production: Sony Pictures Classics
  6 wins & 6 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.1
Metacritic:
65
Rotten Tomatoes:
82%
PG-13
Year:
2010
100 min
$134,078
Website
78 Views


Thank you, Rose.

Lillian...

...I'm going to find work...

...and look after you.

Please, forgive me.

Forgive me, Lillian.

We're glad you came.

I know my duty.

Don't bother waiting with me.

Your Sarah paid a terrible price.

What?

As you sow, so shall you reap, sister.

The sins are visited on the children.

Repent.

What is it?

What did she mean?

Tell me.

Why do they hate you?

They'll never forgive me.

They'd arranged for me

to marry someone from Tiro.

But your papa and I...

...loved each other so much...

...that we stood up...

...to our families.

Your father was a good man.

May he rest in peace.

Jonah?

Look who's here!

What have you brought me?

Superb!

Your mother does the best work.

How is she?

She's been resting at the house...

...since Sarah went away.

She works hard.

Good work should be rewarded.

See you on Sunday.

Where's Jonah?

That idiot?

I haven't seen him in months.

Why are you wearing his jacket?

Jonah owes me money.

He gave it to me.

I haven't seen him in ages.

That's the truth, girl.

I don't believe you!

You shouldn't have washed

Soly's sheets.

You didn't see his face,

so ashamed.

It was nothing.

From Mr. Pheto.

He asked how you were.

- More gossip.

- No.

He meant well.

It hurts all over.

It hurts all the time.

Except when I look at you.

I ran into Dudu.

That good-for-nothing!

She says Jonah is in Jo'burg.

Away for three months

without a word!

- What are you doing?

- He can go to hell.

- What if he comes back?

- He's a liar!

Nothing but promises!

What are you doing

with Papa's things?

- He asked for them.

- What for?

He's going to Jo'burg.

- When will he come back?

- I don't know.

I want Papa to come home. Now!

Iris!

- What are you doing?

- I'm playing with Sarah.

- What?

- Sarah lives here.

That's impossible.

Why?

Because she's an angel.

She doesn't want you playing here.

How would you know?

You and Mama don't love her

anymore, not like me and Papa.

Jonah?

He'd be with us

if he loved us so much.

He loves Soly and me, not you.

You're jealous because

he's not your father.

You'll be sorry when he comes home.

You should stay with us.

Esther is waiting for me.

You should see less of her.

I don't understand.

- I like Esther, she's nice...

- I don't care what people say.

Chanda, I don't think

she's a suitable friend.

You understand?

I say this because I worry about you.

Worry?

Is this you talking, or her?

How dare you!

I saw her sell herself to truckers.

- That's a lie!

- It's God's truth!

- Chanda.

- Let her go, Lillian.

- Why don't you go in?

- They took my key.

You want to see my new room?

- You sleep here?

- They think I'm dirty.

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Dennis Foon

Dennis Foon (born November 18, 1951 in Detroit) is a playwright, producer, screenwriter and novelist. He was artistic director of the Green Thumb Theatre for twelve years, before turning to films and television in 1986. He has written screenplays for many types of drama. In the mid-1990s his personal project Little Criminals became a success in Canada. His novels include The Longlight Legacy trilogy and Skud. Foon was born and raised in Detroit, but has worked and resided in Canada since 1973. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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