Local lad takes title role in new South African film

He is charming, funny and knowledgeable, just like any other 14-year-old boy.

The difference, however, is this young man shone the brightest among more than 400 other youngsters, making him the lead actor in a new South African family feature film.

Hlayani Mabasa, from Jules High School in Jeppestown, was cast in the title role of Felix, which opened on Friday at Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas.

Felix is an inspirational story of a young lad who follows his dream of becoming a saxophonist – like his late father. Although music is Felix’s passion, it is a dream he must pursue against all odds as his mother’s ambitions for him do not include jazz.

His mother, Lindiwe, fears her son will end up like his father, a drunk who squandered his days and money in taverns before drinking himself to death.

Felix continues to play his pennywhistle in secret and his world is turned upside down when he wins a scholarship to a private school.

When Felix leaves his township friends to take up a scholarship at an elite private school, he defies his mother and turns to two aging members of his father’s old band to help him prepare for the school jazz concert.

Hlayani, in grade 9, told the EXPRESS that starring in Felix was a huge accomplishment for him.

“I was a handful. I was told to quiet down, sit down and calm down. I am quite hyper and I loved being on set. I am happy I landed the title role,” he said.

Hlayani found it easy to identify with most aspects of his character in this film. They both love performing, Hlayani as an actor, Felix as a musician. They both love soccer and hate rugby.

“I could relate to some aspects in Felix’s life but not others. I am a committed actor and I give it my all. I put myself in Felix’s shoes to understand who he is, so I could better portray him. If I ‘met’ Felix I am sure we would be great friends,” said Hlayani.

His commitment to doing justice to his role showed when he threw himself into preparing for the film.

Hlayani, who has never studied music, learnt the basics of playing the pennywhistle in two days and the saxophone in a month.

The film features an all-star cast, including Joburg-born Oscar-nominee Dame Janet Suzman. She starred in Nicholas and Alexandra, Nuns on the Run and Labyrinthe. This is her first South African film and she plays Mrs Clotilda Cartright, Felix’s favourite teacher.

Based in England, Dame Janet is one of South Africa’s most successful actresses.

South African Film and Television Award (Safta) Best Actress winner, Linda Sokhulu, who starred in Isidingo, Generations, Sokhulu and Partners, plays the role of Lindiwe. This is her feature debut and Linda was full of praise for her Hlayani.

“Hlayani’s expressions are beautiful. When you watch what he’s bringing to the table, your heart just goes out to him.”

Safta Lifetime Achievement winner, Roberta Durrant, directed the film. “The casting of Felix was nerve-wracking,” said Roberta.

“We saw something like 400 children for the role. I knew we had to cast it properly. Felix had to be vulnerable but bright, inquisitive, and charming at the same time. You can get 14-year-olds who are not vulnerable at all and who are becoming very un-charming as their voices drop. Hlayani’s voice had not broken yet and his smaller frame felt just right,” she said.

Crew

Roberta co-founded Penguin Films and Paw-Paw Films, was the creative producer on the feature films Inside Out and Skilpoppe, as well as on the international Emmy-nominated television series Home Affairs, Stokvel and Sokhulu and Partners.

Described as the Billy Elliott with African jazz, Felix is based on Shirley Johnston’s acclaimed script, which won Sithengi’s 2004 Writer’s Forum Award. It was a finalist in the US Specscriptacular Competition and a quarter-finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest and the Moondance Screenwriting Competition. Shirley has written for South African television series like Isidingo, Backstage and Montana.

This heart-warming and feel-good South African family film won the Audience Award for Best Film at the Durban International Film Festival in July.

Felix was shot in and around Cape Town over five weeks from September to November 2012.

The main locations were the very different worlds of Langa township and SACS High School.