Umama tells the true story of South African domestic worker Sibongile who wakes to find her son missing. Inspired by true events, along with the universal themes of sacrifice and motherhood, Umama delves deep into South African specific issues, including the major class contrasts that exist in the legacy of apartheid; crime and safety in South Africa; South Africa’s melting pot of cultures; to be “in” but not “of” a specific group and above all else the dichotomy in which love exists - it is at once confusing and the only thing that makes sense.
Amongst the films successful festival circuit some of UMAMA's wins include: receiving Gold at the Student Academy Awards last year, National Board of Review grant recipient and shortlisting for the student BAFTAs.
QUOTES
"An interesting look at the both privilege and social dynamics that exist in South Africa that still affect people on so many levels. Talia is a fresh new voice of filmmakers daring to tell human stories in an honest, authentic and entertaining way. It’s refreshing and needed."
Kweku Mandela
( Film producer and grandson of Nelson Mandela)
A beautifully refined, moving, and realistic film. Deeply moving. It remains unbelievable what we are capable of doing to one another. Sadly, the story still holds true today. It is important it won the Gold at the student Oscars, and it is my hope that this film will be seen by many and may serve as a strong and necessary wake up call for an inclusive way of living.
HRH Princess Irene of the Netherlands
"This film is extraordinary. Why? Because in just 20 minutes it demonstrates, with supreme restraint and elegance, how the bitter legacy of apartheid still infects generation after generation. It shows us, viscerally, how the hearts of good people get broken, because ancient violence still infects what happens today. I lived in South Africa for 10 years; this film made me cry, because it distills the precise and awful separation that underlies everyday life in this suffering, beautiful country. It’s a masterpiece that you must see."
Dr Scilla Elworthy
(Three time Noble Peace Prize Nominee who helped Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu in setting up The Elders)
"In just 20 minutes I was completely blown away by Talia Smith’s short film Umama. Through her heart wrenching exploration of the race and class divide she reveals a segregated reality that still pervades the whole of society. Whilst set in South Africa this film quite easily resonates in the United States and many parts of London in the U.K. and other European cities like Madrid in Spain. This film serves as a powerful tribute to countless hardworking and dedicated single black mothers all over the world who have needlessly lost their sons to violence in a system that is rigged against them. I do hope this film will wake everybody up so that we can _all_ take responsibility for pushing our societies forward to equality."
Kojo Annan
(son of former UN Secretary Kofi Annan)
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