A cinematic ode to South Africa’s traditional second mom

JORDAN MOSHE

Umama was one of only a select few scripts NYU chose for production. It is poised to become the university’s first South African-based undergraduate film, bringing local stories and talent to international audiences.

Slated for shooting between 6 and 17 June and expected to be ready by December, it will be submitted to international film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival, the Student Academy Awards at the Oscars, and the First Run Film Festival.

“This is an ode to the woman who helped raise my siblings and me,” says Smith. “Susan Sentsho started working for my family when I was two years old, and she has been present at every milestone in my life. We share a very special bond.”

The decision to celebrate this bond cinematically was a natural one. An alumnus of King David Linksfield (KDL), Smith grew up in a creative family and was keenly involved in the dramatic arts from a young age. “My parents encouraged us to be creative – every Shabbos included a different play put on by us children,” says Smith. “When I was eight years old, I wanted to be an actress and study acting in New York. After I got the main role on a commercial, I realised I wanted to be behind the camera telling the story.”

After her directing debut, co-writing and directing her school’s Purim play, Smith went on to create videos advertising KDL events and promotional videos for Bnei Akiva under the mentorship of her father, who edits commercials. Her dream was to enrol at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and in 2015 she began her studies.

In September last year, Smith took up the university’s advanced narrative course, a fiercely competitive programme in which students pitch comprehensive outlines of a film of their own creation as well as motivation for its production. Despite initial doubts, Smith decided to submit her script.

“At first, I wanted to write the script as an ode to Susan – to show her my appreciation of all she gave up for us,” says Smith. “I knew that losing a son and having to take care of children that aren’t hers must have been so hard, but she never wavered in the love she gave us, and I wanted to make this to show her how grateful I am to have the love she has given us.

After requesting permission from Sentsho and her family to feature them in her film, Smith submitted her script. Despite her concerns, it was not only selected for production, but awarded the esteemed producers’ grant, which is given to only two films. Says Smith: “When I heard that it had been accepted, I was immediately very happy and then also very stressed. I was very worried about the script and didn’t know if it would get chosen because it is such a challenge to produce.”

The film will be shot locally, and location scouting has been conducted in Kliptown. With casting already under way, Smith is assembling an impressive ensemble of talent, including Rhythm City and Black Panther star Connie Chiume, and South African actress Shelley Meskin. The team also includes a crew of about 30 volunteers from the United States and South Africa, all of whom need to be provided for, and then there is money needed for equipment hire too. It all amounts to a sizeable sum, so Smith has created an online portal through which the public can make donations to the project.

Smith believes film is a tool of education, and she is determined to share the uniquely South African and Jewish experience with audiences in the US. “I think the core of the story is universal, and its strongest theme is relatable to all audiences,” she says. “This story explores South Africa’s integrated culture, the legacy of apartheid, the importance of education, class gaps, and crime, but above all else, the loving nature of South Africans.”