Shirley Adams

SHIRLEY ADAMS is a quietly devastating tale about the effects of youth violence on one South African family. Director Oliver Hermanus is an extraordinarily talented young filmmaker who, in 2006, received a private scholarship to the London Film School from Roland Emmerich, director of Hollywood blockbusters (“Independence Day”, “2012”). No film could be further removed from Emmerich’s high-octane explosions than SHIRLEY ADAMS. Shirley is a stubbornly devoted mother who spends every minute of her day caring for her teenage son Donovan, the victim of a gang shooting who is now a paraplegic. Hermanus’s camera follows Shirley closely as she bathes her despondent son, helps him eat, and turns him over in bed. Poverty-stricken and without a means of support, Shirley and Donovan have been deserted by Donovan’s father, and Shirley resorts to shoplifting to make ends meet. When Tamsin, a well-meaning young social worker, arrives to help out, Donovan’s life brightens temporarily, though Shirley feels vaguely threatened. Denise Newman, one of South Africa’s foremost actresses, portrays Shirley as a woman of astonishing fortitude and careworn grace. (In English and Afrikaans with subtitles) – B.B.

Film presented with support of:

ADAMHS (Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services)

Category	Continental Airlines World Tour, Pan-African Images, Women Of The World
Producer	Jeremy Nathan, Michelle Wheatley
Screenplay	Oliver Hermanus, Stavros Pambillis
Cinematography	Jamie Ramsay
Editing	Garreth Fradgley
Principal Cast	Denise Newman, Keenan Arrison, Emily Child, Theresa Sedras, Gamiet Peterson, Travis Snyders, Lee-Ann Van Rooi, David Muller
Director Bio	Twenty-five-year-old Oliver Hermanus was born in Cape Town and studied film at the University there. He began his career as a press photographer, covering events as diverse as the G-8 Summit and the Glastonbury Music Festival. He directed several short films before making this, his feature debut.
Select Filmography	SHIRLEY ADAMS (2009)
Print Source	Global Film Initiative gfi-info@globalfilm.org www.globalfilm.org

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Past Screenings

Monday, March 22, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2:10 PM