A Cape Flats movie, which is only due to be released next year, has already bagged an international award.
The first Muslim movie in Afrikaans, Barakat has won for Best Narrative at the 23rd Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Festival in America.
Twenty movies from around the world were showcased this year at the influential festival for women of colour.
The 90-minute long film is directed by Mitchells Plain’s Amy Jephta and Ephraim Gordon from Paarl.
The story centres around Aisha Davids, a widow who has to preserve the peace between her four sons who are struggling to come to terms with the death of their father, two years after the fact.
Zunaid, Zaid, Yaseen and Nur return to their Athlone family home to celebrate labarang, where they painfully discover that they’ve never really dealt with their father’s death and the void he has left in their lives.
Their unprocessed pain causes family drama, much to the sorrow of their mom who is simply trying to move on with her life.
Veteran actress Vinette Ebrahim plays the role of the matriarch, while her four sons are played by Joey Rasdien, Mortimer Williams, Keeno-Lee Hector and Danny Ross.
The cast also includes Quanita Adams, Bonnie Mbuli, Leslie Fong and June van Merch.
The creators say the film highlights the Cape Flats culture.
“That difficulty of ‘moving on’ from the death of a loved one is a universal theme that speaks to our humanity anywhere in the world,” says director Amy.
“And for the Davids family, healing exists at the intersection of conflict, tradition, culture and food.
“We are delighted that Barakat has won this prestigious award as the film challenges the preconceived narratives around the Cape Flats and coloured communities, and shifts the focus away from violence and onto the celebration of life and culture, and the importance of family.”
Keeno-Lee says: “To see the film do so well internationally is extremely rewarding, can’t wait for everyone here at home to see it.”
The film is set for release in May 2021.