Duma (2005)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Carroll Ballard

Writers (WGA):

Carol Cawthra Hopcraft (book) and
Xan Hopcraft (book) ...

Release Date:

27 May 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Some friendships are wilder than others.

Plot:

An orphaned cheetah becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa. |

Plot Keywords:

Cheetah | South Africa | Young Boy | Loss Of Father | Rescue

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Alex Michaeletos	...	Xan (as Alexander Michaletos)
Campbell Scott	...	Peter
Mary Makhatho	...	Thandi
Nthabiseng Kenoshi	...	Lucille
Hope Davis	...	Kristin
Jennifer Steyn	...	Aunt Gwen
Nicky Rebello	...	Coach Nagy (as Nicky Rebelo)
Garth Renecle	...	Hock Bender
Andre Stolz	...	Xan's Teacher
Charlotte Savage	...	Poetry Student
Ronald Shange	...	Policeman
Eamonn Walker	...	Ripkuna
Nadia Kretschmer	...	Tourist #1
John Whiteley	...	Tourist #2
Clive Scott	...	Tourist #3 - Eager Man

Also Known As:

How It Was with Dooms (USA) (working title)
Shadows (USA) (working title)
Untitled Cheetah Movie (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild adventure peril.

Runtime:

Australia:100 min | USA:100 min | Argentina:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:LH | South Korea:All | Australia:PG | Ireland:G | UK:U | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Africa

Company:

Gaylord Films

Quotes:

Xan: Love doesn't stop when time passes, or you live in different places, or sombody's gone.
Xan: That's how it was with me and Duma.

Soundtrack:

Umlolozelo (A Lullaby)

A Sensational Work Blending Heart and Mind

"Duma" comes along to show us it is possible to create a work of art that combines compassion, intelligence, creativity, and insight. I'm a bit hesitant to even mind some of the comments made by a few people about this film. It is NOT about the people of the country, or a particular point of view. It is supposed to be about a boy and his closest relationship to another living thing on this planet. It is an adventure that doesn't rely on cheap special effects and far fetched ideas that no one but a movie executive find any connection to. It is not about throwing a gimmick in front of our faces and failing to deliver. "Duma" just opens a window to a world that is slowly dying in front of us.

After seeing the film, I couldn't stop thinking about the marvelous nature of the cheetah, as a creature, a friend, another member of this world's wonders. As the film unfolds, we witness other marvels along the way, as our young protagonist finds ways to solve several quests in the story. There were a few instances where I had to catch my breath for the sheer magic displayed on the screen: the vistas, the expressions, the lyrical beauty which was composed by the various parts. It was a universal experience that can reach and touch both adults and children. The best part is that we went back to the primal essence of cinema, the ability to conjure or transports us to the magic that exists in our own world.

"Duma" stands for the soul in us, a part of our world that keeps us going and refuses to let go. An artist, like Mr. Ballard can create this type of entertainment, the kind that allows us to reflect on what is important, leads us to think and to care about where we're going, and what the rewards and consequences might be. This is an important film that, in typical fashion, is being neglected by the moguls of entertainment. Catch it in the big screen to get its full impact, relish it, and pass the word around. Here is a film that earns the title of a classic right away.