Life, Above All

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Life, Above All

PG-13

Released Jul 15, 2011

1h 42m

Drama

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82%

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71 Reviews

82%

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1,000+ Ratings

A 12-year-old girl (Khomotso Manyaka) fights prejudice when her family is ostracized by a South African community.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Mostly this is a film that seems genuine and true.

Aug 31, 2018

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

The film plays out like a modern allegory with strong life lessons. This an emotionally satisfying and cleansing first-hand experience about that scourge called AIDS.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 24, 2011

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Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

What makes it bearable but also beautiful and stirring is the central performance by the preteen, first-time actor Khomotso Manyaka.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 23, 2011

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Lucy Popescu

CineVue

Manyaka is enormously affecting as Chanda, stubborn, passionate, strong and fragile in equal measure. She is supported by a superb cast.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 14, 2018

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Art with heart.

Rated: 8/10

Jan 5, 2012

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...there's an undeniable fierceness and intelligence in Manyaka's lead performance. She's far from a polished actor, but there's real steel there.

Rated: 83/100

Nov 25, 2011

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Georgan G

Poverty, disease and shame wrap this true life drama in real emotion. Love how honestly this story was told, despite the sadness it portrayed. It did end on a positive note, thankfully.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

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Audience Member

Powerful film about the ravages of AIDS; young Manyaka is amazing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Should be called Love, Above All. Khomotso Manyaka is a gem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

The contrast of AIDS-related films from the U.S. and Africa is stark. Because of the epidemic in South Africa, the fear of and animosity toward those infected creates dire living conditions and outright ostracism. This film provides a glimmer of hope through education, compassion and sheer will.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

"Life above all" gives us a vision what is living with AIDS in the rural area of South Africa where there is myths and discrimination about the diseaseand the peole who suffers it. The film is spoken in Northern Sotho, that gives a special feeling of more autenticity.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

I really want to watch this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Oliver Schmitz

Director

Khomotso Manyaka

Chanda

Keaobaka Makanyane

Esther

Lerato Mvelase

Lillian

Harriet Lenabe

Mrs. Tafa

Tinah Mnumzana

Aunt Lizbet

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Synopsis

A 12-year-old girl (Khomotso Manyaka) fights prejudice when her family is ostracized by a South African community.

Director: Oliver Schmitz
Screenwriter: Dennis Foon
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Enigma, Senator Film Produktion GmbH
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $134.1K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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