Tackling youth issues on the big screen

Thando – which showcases a predominantly young female cast (the lead role is played by newcomer Zikhona Bali) – deals with issues of bullying, shaming and suicide, highlights the real-life experiences of some South African teenagers.

The character, Thando, is a school girl flattered by the attentions of an older man, who spoils her with the finer things in life. However, when she discovers she is pregnant, he demands she have an abortion. When a humiliating video of Thando (being beaten by another girl) goes viral at school, her overwhelming feelings of rejection and shame drive her to thoughts of suicide.

Director and Executive Producer Kagiso Modupe says: “We deal with gender-based violence, with issues of young girls needing to fit in, bullying and how bullying is often a trigger to committing suicide. There is a very high rate of teenage suicide in South Africa and I feel that it is a subject that a lot of people talk about when it happens, and then the shock dies down and the issue is swept under the carpet.”

Kagiso describes Thando as a universal story, explaining that teenage suicide is something that affects all societies, throughout the world, to a greater or lesser extent. “My hope is that the film will speak to both young girls and boys, showing them that when they encounter obstacles in life, it is not the end of the world. I hope that Thando will show them that for every problem there is a solution and there is light at the end of the tunnel – even if they cannot see it at the time.”

Another film which focuses on the issues that teenagers often have to navigate their way through is Sodium
Day, by Director Riaz Solker. Set in a dilapidated high school on the Cape Flats, it takes place over the course of one day, which starts momentously with an explosive prank, and ends in tragedy. A comedy-drama, the film introduces an element of mirth even as it deals with the hard topics of racism and gangsterism, as well as a neglected school system and a missing pupil. The young ensemble cast members are astounding in their different roles – the joker, the smoker, the diligent pupil and more.

Riaz says: “I based this film on my experiences as a high school teacher (and some of my experiences as a high school student as well). I wanted to highlight issues that need addressing in the government school system, especially in less privileged environments.”

He believes that in South Africa, disadvantaged youth are continually having their potential suppressed by a system that often isn’t providing them with the necessary tools to become positively contributing members of society.

“I wanted to open up a debate about how to improve the situation in schools, and the first step is to expose that situation, which is what I hope the film achieves to some degree,” he continues.

“I’m proposing that the current approach to educating, nurturing and protecting the vast majority of our youth isn’t working. There’s a lack of will, lack of efficient resource management, lack of training, lack of civic participation, and a systemic resistance to positive change.”

Ultimately, Riaz hopes that Sodium Day audiences are “entertained, moved and inspired to action” by the movie. “While the film does tackle some serious issues, there are plenty of laughs and lighter moments, which I hope capture the magic, innocence, frivolousness, rebelliousness, bravado and fragility of the high school experience.”

He concludes: “I would hope to provoke thought and conversation about what our collective responsibility is to the youth of our country.”