Life Above All

Life Above All

A film about Aids in Africa is not exactly entertaining. This is a brilliant film that brings home the problems of dealing with aids in the African community .The story is told through the eyes of 12 year old Chanda and her family. Khomotso Manyaka is absolutely amazing in this role and apparently had never performed before.

Her friend Esther is also a novice actor. The two young girls are brilliant in their parts.

Chandra lives in a village that is not poor and probably considered to be very comfortable. Aids is not a topic for discussion. Chanda’s baby sister dies of Aids even though the name of the disease is not used. Chanda chooses a tiny coffin for her sister’s burial.

When Chanda’s mother becomes ill it is all hushed up. The neighbor, Mrs. Tafa, arranges for a spiritualist to try and get rid of the demons. As the mother’s health deteriorates she is sent to the countryside to be away from the village. The children think she has left town to get work in another place. Chanda is the caregiver to her younger siblings.

She travels to the countryside to see her mother. She discovers the ravaged body left outside in a field. Chanda brings her back to the home village against all odds.

The wealthy neighbor, Mrs. Tafa, is a contrast to Chanda. She refuses to see the reality and covers up the issues. Chanda is such a caring mature young girl. Chanda is also a contrast to her drunken, slovenly step father who spends all the family money on drink and prostitution.

Chanda’s good friend Esther is shunned by the village and is forced to go into prostitution for survival. Chanda saves her life and brings her into the home. The village seems to come to terms with the problems.

The story is touching. The film is actually based on a story written by Torontonian Allan Stratton. It is very powerful and certainly emotional.