Lucky

LUCKY is the profoundly moving story of a ten-year-old South African orphan seeking a home in the indifferent big city. At his mother's grave in his remote Zulu village, Lucky vows that he will somehow go to school. Clutching the address of his uncle, whom he hopes will provide for him, he makes his way to Durban. Uncle seems kind at first, but his thoughts are on booze and women rather than money for education. A cranky older Indian lady named Padma lives across the way from Uncle. When Lucky tries to approach her, she chases him off with her cane. She's so bigoted she won't allow blacks in her apartment. But Padma grudgingly lets Lucky sleep on her balcony, like she would a stray dog. Despite their separation by race and language, Lucky and Padma gradually form a bond. Founded in the director's experience in post-apartheid Durban, LUCKY explores the tensions that persist between the city's African and Indian communities. Young actor Sihle Dlamini quietly dominates every scene. (In Zulu and Hindi with subtitles) –B.B.