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.