Alright, so let’s talk about “Life, Above All.” This film, man, it really hits you where it hurts. Tackles those heavy, heavy themes – HIV, stigma, and resilience. Set in South Africa, it focuses on young Chanda who’s basically facing the world’s weight on her tiny shoulders. Can you imagine a 12-year-old dealing with all that? I certainly couldn’t at that age.

First off, the cinematography. Wow. It’s stunning, really, capturing both the beauty and the hard reality of their everyday life. Makes you realize how, you know, sometimes films can take you places you’ve never been, right, even sitting on your sofa with a kaffe och bulle.

The acting. Khomotso Manyaka as Chanda is just… briljant. She brings such depth and realness to her role. It’s like, you believe her, you feel for her, you root for her. And, oh, Lerato Mvelase who plays her mom – her performance is haunting. You see the pain, the struggle, everything right there on her face.

Now, the story itself might feel a bit slow for some, I get that. I mean, we’re used to faster-paced stuff. But life isn’t always fast, especially when dealing with heavy stuff like this, you know? It’s a bit like watching paint dry but an emotional variant of it, maybe?

I remember the first time I heard about HIV, it was in a health class back in school. We had no clue, really. Just fear, ignorance. This film kinda throws that right back at you and makes you think. Makes you wonder how far, or not, we’ve come. Chanda’s story, her bravery, it’s inspiring yet heartbreaking at the same time.

Also, gotta mention the soundtrack. Does the job perfectly, sets the mood, gets you emotionally invested. Not too over the top, just right.

To wrap it up, is it a feel-good film? Not really. But it’s important, it’s eye-opening. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, maybe give it a go when you’re in that contemplative mood. And here’s the trailer if you wanna check it first: Life, Above All

I think the biggest takeaway for me was empathy. We often overlook or judge people without understanding their story.