After the untimely departure of 12-year-old Chanda's father, the young girl tries to uphold the roots of her family while confronted with an alcoholic stepfather, an ill mother and a hostile village. Life, Above All is an emotional, sorrowful film from South Africa teeming with eye-welting moments as Chanda tries to track down her AIDS-stricken mother, Lillian, after Lillian is secretly taken away by her unwelcoming neighbors, who blame Chanda's mother for her illness.
A film version of the 2004 novel Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton, Life, Above All has garnered praise from a variety of movie critics. The film was even chosen as an official selection at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Life, Above All is released today at select theaters.
Suggested Reading
Previous recommendation: La Toya Jackson's 'Starting Over.'
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