Watch Fiela's Child

Fiela's Child is a beautiful and heart-wrenching drama film directed by Katinka Heyns. The movie is based on the critically acclaimed novel by award-winning South African author, Dalene Matthee. It tells the story of a young white boy named Benjamin, who is raised by a loving Coloured family in a remote forest region of South Africa. The movie explores themes of identity, belonging, family, and the legacy of apartheid in South Africa.

The film portrays the serene and idyllic life that Benjamin has lived as a member of the loving Komoetie family. They are a simple, hard-working family who live in a forested area, away from the rest of the world. The film captures the beauty and simplicity of their life in a way that is both calming and hypnotic, with the forest almost seeming like a character of its own. It is a stark contrast to the rigid, stratified society of South Africa at the time where race determined everything.

The peaceful life that Benjamin has lived with the Komoetie family is suddenly disrupted when he is taken away by the authorities and returned to his biological family, a white family from a nearby town, who are grieving the loss of their own son. The tragedy of apartheid becomes evident at this moment; Benjamin is now a stranger in his own home. He cannot speak their language or share their beliefs. His new family insists that he is their lost son, but Benjamin feels like a stranger. He has been taken away from his true family and the only home he has ever known.

The film then follows the story of Fiela Komoetie, Benjamin's Coloured mother, as she fiercely tries to reclaim her son, who was taken from her years ago. Fiela's unwavering commitment to her son and her powerful maternal instincts make her a fierce yet loving mother who is willing to do anything in her power to ensure that her son is returned to her.

The performances of the actors in the film are fantastic. Shaleen Surtie-Richards gives a nuanced and powerful performance as Fiela Komoetie, the mother fighting for her son. Her portrayal of a mother's love is both authentic and moving. Andrew Rossous as Benjamin brings a complex range of emotions to his character, and he manages to capture the confusion and isolation of a child trying to make sense of an oppressive world.

The film's direction and camera work are breathtaking. Cinematographer Dewald Aukema captures the beauty of the rugged landscapes, dense forests and African wildlife in the Garden Route National Park, where the film is set. Every scene is imbued with a sense of intimacy yet breadth, and the viewer is drawn in by the emotional depth of the performances.

The film touches on the themes of identity and belonging, showing how Benjamin is caught between two worlds. He is neither fully white nor fully coloured, and he finds himself struggling to bridge the gap between the two communities. In this way, the film also provides an unflinching look at the challenges of growing up mixed-race in South Africa during apartheid.

Overall, Fiela's Child is a tender and poignant film that captures the complexity of life in South Africa during apartheid. It is a reflection of the country's history, where individuals were put into boxes based on their race and forced to live according to a hierarchy. The actors deliver powerful performances and the cinematography is stunning. The story will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Fiela's Child is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 97 hours.