Top South African film-making duo, Leli Maki and Nkuli Sibeko, have teamed up to treat moviegoers to an authentic local movie, “Homecoming - An African Christmas Story”.
The iconic Timmy Kwebulana, who died in September, makes his last acting appearance in the film alongside veteran actress Thoko Ntshinga, Zikhona Bali, Talitha Ndima and Odwa Gwanya.
Set against the picturesque landscapes of the Eastern Cape, this heart-warming story follows two sisters, Luleka and Asanda, who return to their rural village for what may be their father’s last Christmas, following his dementia diagnosis.
As they reconnect with their family, they confront their past and rediscover the importance of their sisterly bond.
Describing the film, writer Sibeko said that it’s a family drama with elements of comedy, love and a bit of conflict.
“It’s about a Christmas experience that I’m very familiar with, and so are many South Africans, which is going home to the rural areas. Going back to where you’re from and reconnecting with your family, your people and filling your cup before you face the new year,” she said.
Maki added that it was important for them to tell “our version of Christmas”.
"It has a lot of heart, we decided to write about what Christmas is to us. After the sisters get home, it becomes this comical mission of let’s make this a Christmas which their dad will never forget, one that will override his sickness.
“It’s also about them unpacking what’s happening in their own lives, and as a family gather yourself in the most hard of times to be able to celebrate the glory of Christmas and what it represents to us South Africans, which is going back home and refilling your cup,” said Maki.
The duo agreed that there’s just something “magical” about going back “home” for the festival season.
“I think whether you’re an Afrikaner, an Indian, Sotho or Venda, there is that element that you can find certain characters in it. More importantly, it’s the comfort that you get, even if it’s just two days over Christmas, most South Africans go home to celebrate that time with their loved ones,” said Maki.
Some of the themes that run through the movie are that of family and embracing our heritage.
“We also have the themes of love, where we deal with complicated love stories. Most Christmas movies show that beautiful blush of falling in love, but for this movie, we chose to do the work of being in love and the things you need to do to sustain a loving relationship,” said Sibeko.
The film also looks at pretences.
“When they come home, the kids try not to show what’s really happening in their lives because they try to create this wonderful Christmas mirage, but because family is family and they know you best, all the secrets come out,” shared Sibeko.
While the title suggests that it’s a Christmas movie, Sibeko and Maki shared that because of the messages it carries, it is a film that can be enjoyed all year round.
“It is a family movie with takes place over the Christmas period, but at the heart of it is a movie that can hopefully be enjoyed all year round by the audience because those messages that we put in, are messages that can sustain you over the entire year,” explained Maki.
On working with Kwebulana on his last big screen project before his passing, Maki said: “He was such a match. Working with him was one of the best experiences for me as a director.
“A loss like that is something that is very hard to recover from but what we do like is how he portrayed his character.
“I hope he becomes South Africa’s father because he is warm, loving, kind, and he fights for his family, so I hope that the audience will be able to take away and remember him fondly with his last portrayal on the big screen.”
Sibeko added that she hoped Kwebulana’s last portrayal is something that will become a big part of his legacy.
“He is so stern, he is that man we all know, he’s so warm towards his children. He’s this positive and understanding influence.
“In one of the pivotal scenes, we deal with pregnancy and what he does, and what I love about his portrayal, is that he didn’t approach the part with judgement, it was almost like an endless motion of understanding, where the children could come and be themselves and be able to move on no matter the adversities they face, so I really do hope this is how South Africans remember him.”
∎ The film is set to release in cinemas nationwide on October 18.
Watch the trailer below: