‘Surviving Gaza’ – A story of dreams, decisions and consequences

In the brand-new eVOD original, Surviving Gaza – a Vusi Africa film set against the very vibrant kwaito era in South Africa, 17-year-old Phuzi has some difficult choices to make.

His mother and everyone else he knows dreamed about getting out of Gaza and making a life for themselves, yet somehow they never made it out. Will Phuzi be the one who does? Will he make the right choices?

In the film, the young man, whose role is portrayed by none other than Botlhale Mahlangu, is caught between a rock and a hard place, confronted with the uncertain dream of a career in kwaito, love and the open door to a life of crime.

As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, his childhood sweetheart returns to Gaza just after Phuzi’s family buried his grandfather.

Thandeka’s return fuels Phuzi’s hopes of better days but brings some good news too – that of a kwaito competition looking for contestants. Thandeka (played by Samke Makhoba) believes that Phuzi has what it takes to make it in the competition, and while his friends are about to establish themselves as a crime duo, Phuzi has a difficult decision to make – rise above, or go down under?

But, as fate would have it, Phuzi becomes entangled in a horrendous crime that rocks the Gaza community to the core.

With the hounding detective Tambo on their trail, Phuzi’s dream of a musical career seems farfetched, and so does his freedom. Will Thandeka’s love be enough to save him from his predicament?

The film is filled with a mix of new and familiar talent, including Ayanda Daweti (Titus), Mpho Molepo (Cash Zonke) in addition to the lead roles, and is sure to entertain all audiences with captivating cinematography.

READ: 3 Movies to add to your must-watch list

Vusi Africa, the Trial By Media Film Director says that we are all fighting against something we are trying to survive.

“We all have a Gaza that we need to face. This film carries the hopes and the dreams of young people around South Africa who are all facing difficult circumstances fighting for their dreams, fighting to survive in a country that is also struggling to meet their needs.”

Says Helga Palmer, Head of Local Programming at eMedia: “We are excited to release another eVOD Original movie in the space of six months. Surviving Gaza is the quintessential coming of age story, about dreams, peer-pressure, decisions and consequences.”

She says that the film portrays a very realistic view of the hardships faced by South Africa’s youth.

Surviving Gaza launches on eMedia’s online streaming platform eVOD on 24 February.