Director: Andrew Mudge
Writer: Andrew Mudge (Screenplay)
Starring: Zenzo Ngqobe, Nozipho Nkelemba, Lebhang Ntsane, Jerry Mofokeng, Mohoeshoe Chabeli, Lillian Dube
Plot: Atang leaves the slums of the big city to bury his estranged father in the remote, mountainous village where he was born. Befriended by an orphan herd-boy and stirred by memories of his youth, he falls in love with his childhood friend, Dineo, now a radiant young teacher. Through her, Atang is drawn to the mystical beauty and hardships of the people, and faces his own bittersweet reckoning.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Beautifully Moving Story
Story: The Forgotten Kingdom starts as we meet Joseph (Ngqobe) a young man in the big city in South Africa, estranged from his father he group are harmless troublemakers. When he gets a vision of his father Joseph whose real name is Atang must take another look at the life he has been living to bury his father in Lesotho.
While at his father’s funeral he meets an old-school friend Dineo (Nkelemba) who still lives in Lesotho but who gave up her life in Joburg to support her family. Atang journeys to be with Dineo where he is guided by Orphan Boy (Ntsane) as he learns more about the beauty in life and the difficulties other people must go through after being mugged and beaten.
The Forgotten Kingdom gives us a story of how one man must find his purpose in life after his father’s death, it shows the incredible journey he must complete where he must consider the spirits of the world he has since turned his back on. We see how difficult life is for the ones that don’t always tell the world in a world that is so different to my own, where sickness can be considered a curse that doesn’t get the support it needs. We also get a love story of one man who will go on a journey to be with the woman he loves.
The performances are brilliant with Zenzo Ngqobe give a performance that could be put up there with the very best in the year of the release. The film has a real heart to it which makes it stand out from the rest of the releases of this year.
Overall: Brilliant journey of self-discovery through the rough environment.
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