English and Afrikaans , with subtitles in English
South Africa, 2009 (92 minutes)

Synopsis
In this deeply affecting portrait of ordinary courage in present-day South Africa, a single mother—Shirley Adams—struggles to care for her paraplegic teenage son, Donovan, in a depressed district on the outskirts of Cape Town. Wearied but resolute, she desperately clings to him as he withdraws from the world following a suicide attempt, and is hopeful when his spirits are momentarily lifted by the appearance of Tamsin, a pretty but overeager social worker. But when the relationship between Donovan and Tamsin sours, his fragile emotional health declines, and Shirley's faith and perseverance are put to the ultimate test. First-time director Oliver Hermanus's observant camera holds close to its subjects, capturing the claustrophobia, intimacy and hushed anguish surrounding the tender daily routines of a mother and her child.

About the Director
Oliver Hermanus was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1983. He began his professional career as a press photographer, covering international events such as the Glastonbury Music Festival and the G-8 Summit. He holds a BA in Film Media and Visual Studies from the University of Cape Town where, as a student, he directed a number of short films and documentaries. Shirley Adams is his first feature film.

Principal Cast

Shirley Adams
Donovan Adams
Kariema Samsodien
Tamsin Ranger
Philda Jacobs

Denise Newman
Keenan Arrison
Theresa Sedras
Emily Childs
Lee-Ann Van Rooi

Crew

Director
Writer
Executive Producers
Producers
Cinematographer
Editor
Sound
Music

Oliver Hermanus
Oliver Hermanus, Stavros Pamballis
Roland Emmerich, Kirstin Winkler
Jeremy Nathan, Michelle Wheatley
Jamie Ramsay
Garreth Fradgley
Gita Cerveira, Jim Petrak, Ivan Milborrow, Warrick Sony
Philip Miller