Movie Cane Cutter explores love and heritage, while celebrating Indian contributions
The red carpet rolled out in Durban for The Cane Cutter premiere at Suncoast CineCentre. The film's actresses Shika Maharaj, Kajal Lutchminarian and Vanessa Marawa are pictured with the film's producer Shan Moodley, left and director Dr Eubulus Timothy
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
The highly anticipated film The Cane Cutter which pays homage to the enduring legacy of Indian indentured workers in South Africa opened in cinemas on Friday.
The film celebrates and acknowledges the contributions of Indians in South Africa.
Produced by Shan Moodley and directed by Dr Eubulus Timothy, the film takes the audience back to 1911 when two teens fell in love while travelling on the last ship carrying indentured labourers to Durban.
At its heart lies a poignant love story between a girl, a paid passenger from Gujarat, and a Telugu boy, who is an indentured labourer. Fate intervenes, leaving them separated upon arrival in Durban, mirroring the real-life stories of countless individuals from that era.
Over a hundred years later driven by a passion to tell the story of the rich history of his heritage in Durban, South Africa, Dev Venkiah, played by Razeen Dada, drops out of law school to make a documentary of his great-grandfather. The making of the documentary brings together the descendants of the orignal lovers, Dev and medical doctor and kathak dancer named Amisha Bhagwan, played by Kajal Lutchminarian.
Their intertwined narratives highlight the rich tapestry of Indian culture in South Africa, woven together across time and experience.
The film also pays tribute to the modern Indian community, featuring interviews with prominent South African Indians who have left indelible marks in various fields, including science, sports, medicine, law, and humanitarian work.
Among those featured in Dev's documentary are notable figures such as Sam Ramsamy, Ashwin Desai, Karthie Govender, Devi Sankaree Govender, Ismail Mohammed, Ela Gandhi, Devi Rajab, Prof Salim Abdool Karim, Dr Sheetal Bhoola, Dr Dasrath Chetty, Prof Daya Reddy and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
Timothy said in the Indian community of South Africa some have excelled while others still struggle.
"I hope they see themselves in the film. In spite of the trials of the cane fields, these men and women rose to empower their families and today the Indian tribe of South Africa has impacted every sphere of South African life," said Timothy.
Moodley said one of the important aspects of the film was to show that first and foremost "we are South Africans, and this is what we have achieved".
"We must stand tall and be proud that we have done enough to earn South African citizenship. From scientists to those in the medical profession to human rights lawyers and humanitarian leaders, they have all contributed in making South Africa what it is today.
"It was a challenge on deciding who to include and how much of their interviews to use. With all the material gathered we are looking at doing a documentary at a later stage," said Moodley.
Also starring in the movie is Shika Maharaj, Adam Dore, Vanessa Marawa and Enver Mall.