Shirley Adams /
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 fro...
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| Other Authors: | , , , , , , |
| Format: | Video |
| Language: | English |
| Language Notes: | This edition in English and Afrikaans with English subtitles. |
| Published: |
San Francisco :
Global Lens,
2009.
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| Series: | New world cinema: independent features & shorts, 1990-present
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this streaming video (Alexander Street Press) |
| Summary: | 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. |
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| Item Description: | Title from resource description page (viewed Apr. 9, 2014). |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (91 min.). |
| Playing Time: | 01:31:25 |
| Awards: | Won 2010 Carthage Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Award; Won 2009 Dubai International Film Festival |