South Africa has done it. A movie we can call our own, a movie that shows the immense talent South African directors and actors have.

Director Craig Freimond played with the idea of the story for Material for 7 years. Originally the film was supposed to be about a doctor who wants to be a comedian. What evolved was a tale of a family desperately searching for a way to come together.

Set in, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, Material focuses on the lives of a South African Muslim family torn apart by stubbornness and tradition.

There is the father, Ebrahim (Vincent Ebrahim) whose own beliefs push everyone close to him away. He has an on-going feud with his brother who, like Ebrahim, owns a material shop in the Oriental Plaza across the road. The drama continues when he finds out that his son Cassim (Riaad Moosa), who was supposed to take over the family business, is on his way to become a comedian, without the approval of his father.

Riaad Moosa deserves a lot of credit for the success of this movie. Fans of the comedian would expect the same onstage antics that Moosa delivers in his stand up shows. However he does a complete reversal and comes across as a serious drama actor playing the role of a comedian, instead of a comedian playing a dramatic role.

The result is a serious movie that moves the audience. It is a movie that delivers a message and shows how easily families can be broken regardless of their religion or race. The shining light is that it shows, despite differences and not being able to agree, that families can be put back together again.

South Africans will love this movie for the story it tells. In-between tense family moment’s people will find themselves recognizing Johannesburg, which is shot beautifully. Add this with sections of relevant humour and topics, not to mention the witty and talented Joey Rasdien, Material is a movie that deliverers and won’t disappoint.

It is in our opinion, South Africa’s answer to “Slumdog Millionaire” and deserves all the credit it has received.

Let us show our support for South African entertainment go vote for Material at IMDB 

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