After the untimely departure of 12-year-old Chanda's father, the young girl tries to uphold the roots of her family while confronted with an alcoholic stepfather, an ill mother and a hostile village. Life, Above All is an emotional, sorrowful film from South Africa teeming with eye-welting moments as Chanda tries to track down her AIDS-stricken mother, Lillian, after Lillian is secretly taken away by her unwelcoming neighbors, who blame Chanda's mother for her illness.
A film version of the 2004 novel Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton, Life, Above All has garnered praise from a variety of movie critics. The film was even chosen as an official selection at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Life, Above All is released today at select theaters.
Previous recommendation: La Toya Jackson's 'Starting Over.'
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