FOLLOWING on the Hyde Park premiere of the new South African film Dear Sis Dolly – at which the journalistic icon who inspired the flick, viz Liz Khumalo was present – a select cohort of the Fourth Estate was invited for its review and a tete-a-tete engagement with its director, Twiggy Matiwana, in Dunkeld West, Johannesburg on June 29.
Based on the iconic Drum Magazine agony aunt column of the same title, the comedy-drama’s plot revolves around Khethiwe (played by Didintle Khunou), an idealistic psychologist trying to save her Meadowlands mental health centre Legae, who vies with the devious duo of Abo (Natasha Thahane) and Kwezi (Brighton Ngoma) – to become the new agony aunt known as “Sis Dolly“.
The film reimagines the faithfully adhered to Drum magazine advice column for a modern audience and takes place in contemporary South Africa, allowing the story to tackle miscellaneous issues and ultimately showing that the emotional support Khethiwe gives to others is exactly what she needs for herself.
Applying the world class cinematography of Director of Photography, Chuanne Blofield, the palette of the interior scenes exude vivid colour saturations which the director hinted are characteristic of Japanese films. Furthermore, the frame angles are complimentary to any from Hollywood, viewers are familiar with.
(In the film, I recognized the location of Legae as the erstwhile US-run Rosa Parks Library & Innovation Studio located at the Ipelegeng Community Centre in White City, Soweto – a place which pending its heydays welcomed visitors such as Phylicia Rashad of the Cosby Show-fame.)
A poignant moment in the storyline unfolded when Khethiwe’s genuine claim to the vacant role is brought to the fore when she dissuaded her half-sister Zano (Slindokuhle Tshabalala) from committing suicide.
Broadcast on live television, Khethiwe’s success in preventing a potential tragedy had the effect of the magazine editor Melody MM Makaringe (S’thandiwe Kgoroge) deciding there and then – her suitability for the vaunted post.
Other cast members include the duo of SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, viz Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha (who plays an oldschool Drum photojournalist named Bra Scratch) and Abigail Kubeka (who acts as Khethiwe’s grandmother Koko – and guides the protagonist through the choppy waters of life).
Putting into perspective the motivation behind taking on the project, Makhanda-raised Matiwana said: “Growing up in South Africa, Drum magazine wasn’t just a publication on a coffee table.
As I recall, my aunt had a large collection of Drum magazines that filled the entire display cupboard.
I’d hide myself behind the couch, reading the stories, I’d be crying, laughing and dreaming.”
Continuing, she averred, “At the very heart of that legacy was Sis Dolly – the ultimate agony aunt to the nation. She was the keeper of our deepest secrets, answering our collective cries for help with a legendary mix of fierce empathy and no-nonsense tough love.”
The character the film title is based on, viz Liz Khumalo was the first black female editor-in-chief of Drum magazine and the original Sis Dolly, and she said:”I am deeply grateful for the care and authenticity with which my story has been brought to life.
Dear Sis Dolly not only honours an important chapter in our history but also celebrates the resilience, ambition and voices of South African women.”
Further, she said: “I believe this film will inspire and impact audiences for many years to come” – adding that the film serves as a meaningful tribute to the enduring legacy of Drum magazine and its role in shaping South Africa’s cultural and media landscape.
Dear Sis Dolly is a Known Associates Group (a film production, development and finance company) production produced by Moroba Nkawe, Tshepiso and Joel Chikapa Phiri – with advertising guru Peter Vundla making his debut as Executive Produce on a feature film.
In a provided media release, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri is quoted thus: Sis Dolly is a must-see and I hope all South Africans will geza, shesha, let their hair down, dress up and show up at the cinema to celebrate the icon of Sis Dolly in film.”
The 90-minute flick released across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia on July 3 in Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas.
