Moving and inspiring drama 'Life, Above All' premieres in Sedona Oct. 11

Inspiring drama 'Life, Above All' premieres in Sedona Oct. 11
Award-winning international film debuts in Sedona Film Festival's Tuesday Cinema Series

The award-winning critical and audience sensation “Life, Above All” premieres in Sedona on Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the Sedona International Film Festival’s Tuesday Cinema Series. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres.

A touching and inspiring story, “Life, Above All” made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to play at the Toronto International Film Festival and several other prestigious festivals around the world, winning top awards at several of them. It was also selected as the coveted closing night film for the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival.

The film was also South Africa’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the recent Academy Awards.

“Life, Above All” is an emotional and universal drama about a young girl (stunningly performed by first-time-actress Khomotso Manyaka) who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community.

Just after the death of her newly-born sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth.

“Life, Above All” captures the enduring strength of loyalty and a courage powered by the heart.

Directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz, the film is based on the international award-winning novel Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton.

Like the novel it is based on, “Life, Above All” is a story about children who have to take on responsibilities much too early in life and never get to experience a normal childhood. It is a universal issue that affects children all over the world. The film is a hopeful tale about the power of friendship, solidarity and loyalty.

Roger Ebert praises “Life, Above All” as “pure human drama … with deep human emotions, evoked with sympathy and love.”

Time Magazine raves, “Alone among the films at Cannes, ‘Life, Above All’ was one that had critics cheering like school kids, in a 10-minute standing ovation, and wiping tears from their eyes. It has the high art and big heart of any award-worthy film!”



The title sponsors for this special film premiere are The Verde Valley Sanctuary and Mary Fisher. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Sedona, and the Sedona Community Foundation.

“Life, Above All” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite A3, or by calling 282-1177. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.