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  • Shirley Adams (2009)
  • 92 min | Drama
Shirley Adams (2009)
92 min | Drama

Shirley Adams spends her days caring for her disabled son, Donovan - he was shot in the back of the neck on his way home from school one afternoon over a year ago. Since then the Adams family has lost all their worldly possessions to ...See moreShirley Adams spends her days caring for her disabled son, Donovan - he was shot in the back of the neck on his way home from school one afternoon over a year ago. Since then the Adams family has lost all their worldly possessions to medical bills. Shirley has no money, no job and no husband - he left without a trace months ago. Shirley's life now consists of trying to make ends meet by shoplifting and relying on the charity of others. When a young, eager occupational therapist, Tamsin Ranger, comes into their lives, Shirley hopes that it might lift her son's spirits and finally put them on the path to some form of stability. At the same time Shirley receives a phone call one afternoon informing her that Donovan's case is finally going to trial, but the glory is short lived when Shirley discovers that the shooter is one of Donovan's childhood friends. Her reaction to the betrayal is so overwhelming that she chooses not to tell Donovan in fear of further damaging his already unstable emotional state. Determined to make a change in their lives, Shirley actively decides to embrace their new circumstances, hoping that Donovan will follow her example. But his mental state continues to deteriorate and Tamsin is unsuccessful in distracting him from his ever-present disability. Shirley is eventually left without an sign of the family she once had. Set in Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town, Shirley Adam's story is symptomatic of the relationship between violence and poverty - the destruction of an entire family is related to one single incident that cannot be erased or repaired. Riddled with the socio-political and racial tensions that plague these Cape Flats slums, Shirley Adams is the story of one woman's amazing strength and self sacrifice. Written by Oliver Hermanus See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Stavros Pamballis (screenplay) | Oliver Hermanus (screenplay)
Composer
Cinematographer
Production Designer
Nicholas Mostert (as Nick Mostert)
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Release date
Jan 2010 (United States)

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Cast

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17 cast members
Name Known for
Denise Newman
Shirley Adams Shirley Adams   See fewer
Keenan Arrison
Donovan Adams Donovan Adams   See fewer
Emily Child
Tamsin Ranger Tamsin Ranger   See fewer
Theresa Sedras
Kariema Samsodien Kariema Samsodien   See fewer
Gamiet Peterson
Kariem Samsodien (as Gamiet Petersen) Kariem Samsodien (as Gamiet Petersen)   See fewer
Travis Snyders
Jeremy Jacobs Jeremy Jacobs   See fewer
Lee-Ann Van Rooi
Philda Jacobs (as Lee-Ann van Rooi) Philda Jacobs (as Lee-Ann van Rooi)   See fewer
David Müller
Kurt Williams (as David Muller) Kurt Williams (as David Muller)   See fewer
Adrian Galley
Doctor Doctor   See fewer
Sasha Lee
Sasha Sasha   See fewer
Lu Chase
Nurse Nurse   See fewer
Ruth Mpukwana
Pharmacy Assistant #2 Pharmacy Assistant #2   See fewer
Suzanne Elizabeth Duncan
Receptionist Receptionist   See fewer
Marlene Hyland
Judge (as Marlene Hylard) Judge (as Marlene Hylard)   See fewer
Alfonzo Solomon
Tamsin's Boyfriend (voice) Tamsin's Boyfriend (voice)   See fewer
Donovan Adams
Keenan Arrison Keenan Arrison   See fewer
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