By Mpho Lakaje
BBC News, Durban

It is an inspirational tale with a cast of untrained child actors from humble backgrounds. Comparisons with Slumdog Millionaire are inevitable, but the film Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) is all about South Africa.

It is a story of resilience. It follows the lives of two young children who are orphaned after their mother dies of a mystery illness.

The children decide to leave their village in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal for Durban where they plan to sell the only item of value left by their mother, a well-decorated African mat.

While she was alive their mother would make trips to the city to sell her handmade carpets. This was their only means of survival.

Knowing that they will be wealthy if they successfully put their mother’s carpet on the market, they stop at nothing to make their dream come true.

"They don’t have boundaries, they don’t put stops like adults"

Director Madodo Ncayiyana

They arrive at a buzzing Durban which presents adversities and forces them down the path of self-discovery.

The movie is performed by a cast of child actors with no previous acting experience.

"The fulfilling thing is that they are willing to learn," says director Madodo Ncayiyana.

"They don’t have boundaries, they don’t put stops like adults."

Izulu Lami was filmed in the city and humble rural villages of Kwa-Zulu Natal, where all the actors and director come from.

‘Unexpected’ adulation

Although IsiZulu is the dominant language in the film, this did not stop it from wowing audiences in Japan and Spain – albeit with the aid of subtitles.

"I’m proud of myself because I never thought I had such abilities, I thank God for the talents He has blessed me with"

Sobahle Mkhabase

It launched officially at the annual Durban International Film Festival in July and goes on general release later this month.

South Africa’s film industry has grown over the past 10 years with some films receiving international acclaim.

Films such as Tsotsi, which won an Academy award in 2006 for Best International film, Yesterday which received the country’s first Oscar nomination in 2005 and u-Carmen eKhayelitsha which received an award for Best film at the Berlin Film festival in 2005, are just some of the country’s most well-received films.

Movie critics say the strength of this movie lies in the performances and innocence of the youngsters as well as its emotional storyline.

Eleven-year-old Sobahle Mkhabase who plays one of the lead roles says she is "surprised by the achievements of the movie".

"I really didn’t expect all of this," she beams.

The creators say it was challenging for the children to portray scenes that they have never gone through in real life, such as a near rape situation.

"I’m proud of myself because I never thought I had such abilities, I thank God for the talents He has blessed me with," adds an eloquent Miss Mkhabase.

‘Raw acting’

Another member of the cast, 13-year-old Sizwe Xaba, says he is "trying to find ways of dealing with my overnight fame".

"I realise that I am famous at an early age but I think I’ll be able to handle it. I never knew I would reach this level but I’m happy to find myself here," he says.

Durban residents were treated to a premier of the movie recently.

Even though many complained about Izulu Lami’s slow start, the movie was received warmly.

"I quite enjoyed it. Raw cinematography, raw acting but great story and it taps into your emotions," explained one of the moviegoers at the film’s premiere.

Another one described it as "intriguing".

The strides made by the local industry show that there is a growing interest in South African storytelling both locally and abroad.

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