MEDIASYNC will tomorrow premiere a new comedy titled Christmas Clothes on Showmax, an African streaming service.
Jointly owned by MultiChoice, the producer of content in Africa, and Comcast, one of the world’s biggest media companies, Showmax offers a unique combination of hit African content and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries, children’s shows and the Premier League.
The heartwarming comedy, Christmas Clothes, set in Soweto on Christmas eve, is directed by Athi Petela.
It features Omhle Tshabalala (from Scandal) as Nqubeko, a teenager on a mission to reclaim his stolen Christmas clothes from a neighbourhood bully, played by Tshepo Mohale.
Mpumelelo Magaga and Alex Tivani co-star as Benny and Small, with South Africa Film and Television Awards winner Thami Mngqolo (from Generations, Isono, Muvhango) and Khanya Sosibo (from Generations: The Legacy, The Estate) as Nqubeko’s parents.
“Christmas clothes have been a thing for South Africans for a long time. So, the film is extremely nostalgic. It is love, it is laughter, it is community. It is literally a movie for everybody,” Petela said.
For Mohale, landing the role of Mzukulu felt like an early Christmas.
“Yoooh, the first time hearing the news that I was going to be part of Christmas Clothes, it was unbelievable,” the 12-year-old said.
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“Yoh, I was very, very happy. I was surprised because it was going to be my first time to shoot a film.”
Being on set lived up to his hopes.
“I like the way the director and producers treated me; I felt so special, like I am the VIP person. It was a great experience,” he said.
There is no snow or mistletoe to be seen in Christmas Clothes, which rather leans to what makes Christmas in South Africa special.
For Omhle, that is the people.
“Christmas, for me, is all about family — bonding, spending time together and making memories,” he said.
Beyond the laughter and nostalgia, the young cast was asked what it hoped viewers would take away from the film.
“Don’t bully others. Just be cool with everyone and play with other children. Don’t let friends mislead you,” Mohale said.
Mzukulu’s friends supported his bad behaviour, like bullying, when they should have steered him in the right direction.
Said Magaga: “Inclusion is really, really important because we are all different, but at the end of the day we have the same blood running in our skins. What is important is for us not to judge each other but to listen to each other’s stories.”
