You know what they say… Two’s a company and three’s a crowd. Well, this South African film gives a real-life meaning to that idiom. The Tribe tells the story of a young professor consumed by alcoholism and is saved from self destruction by a former school mate. Slowly he begins a journey to save his house, marriage and his life.
This is a raw character driven film, putting you in the very life of the lead actor, Smanga (Charlie Vundla). After facing troubles with his marriage and the ability to conceive he turns to alcohol and marijuana as a means to escape. Then, in a dingy old bar he meets his long time schoolfriend Jon (Louis Roux) who is a failed life coach that lives out of his own car. And so the two bond over how much of a stuff up their lives have become and yet seemingly work together to amend things. Suddenly, a buzz at the gate. The return of Smanga’s wife Laura (Terry Pheto) changes everything. And suddenly two becomes three.
Charlie Vundla wrote, directed and starred in the film – according to the man himself, the best part for him was to act and just have fun with the role he created. When asked about the casting process and working with the actors, Vundla spoke of the natural chemistry that needed to exist among the actors and that was how working with actor and friend, Louis Roux came about. The film has no soundtrack – no music to guide your emotions. So, if you feel, you feel – if you don’t that’s ok too. It allows you to be a part of the harrowing real life experience unfolding before your eyes. The Tribe depicts an unfiltered truth: even when it’s uncomfortable and offensive.
I felt a part of The Tribe at the Premiere held at Nu Metro Hyde Park Corner. Here are some of the pics:
As the film deals with human interactions and facing universal struggles, it has done extremely well at film festivals across the world. Now South Africans have a chance to see it. It hits your cinema screens on the 17 March – go check it out.
For now here’s the film’s trailer:
❤ LJ
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Lauren Jenae 