Paljas

The greatest feature to emerge thus far from South Africa (since 1994) is Katinka Heyns's Paljas. The narrative occurs in the 1960s, when poverty amongst Afrikaners was a serious problem and the South African Railway a key mechanism in Afrikaner affirmative action. This excellent Afrikaans language drama follows the deterioration of an Afrikaner family isolated and shunned in the small community of Toorwater. Nothing seems to happen. Then a circus train loses its way and comes to rest in Toorwater, and a mysterious clown brings fresh magic to the stagnating family, but he also poses a threat to the rest of the community. Heyns brilliantly succeeds in creating a metaphor for the Afrikaner family's turbulent emotional, cultural and ideological journey from the darkness of apartheid back into the light of post-apartheid reconciliation (famililial, cultural and political).

In a world where what most people consider South African (cinematicly) is Charleze Theron it fills one with pride to call this picture our own. PALJAS stands head and shoulders above the rest. While most S.A. filmmakers think that the only thing the world wants to see are pics about our politics Katinka Heyns and Chris Barnard (not the physician) chose to portray the life of an ordinary S.A. family in a story filled with pathos and genuine characters instead of the hackneyed anti apartheid heroes of yesteryear. this makes PALJAS truly deserving of a high ranking place among the best of world cinema. as with CHILDREN OF HEAVEN (From Iran) PALJAS centres on a typical S.A. family and their toils and tribulations. anyone hoping to see a True reflection of life in apartheid S.A. without the artifice of modern day propaganda could do no better than to watch this unique gem of a film. Incidentaly for those interested in political S.A. film see PROMISED LAND

Paljas is a rewaking of a bygone era of good Afrikaans films which captures an essence of a lonely boy and his family . The dusty landscape simbolises the barrenis of the MacDonalds. Willem also showes this by his refusel to speak When Maneul arrives it is changed in a way the others in the family can't comprehend. Katinka Heyns is one of the most talented directors on the South African movie scene. This Oscar deserving film can only be beter upon by this briliant woman.

Probably one of the best films to come out of South Africa. The story documents the lives of an Afrikaans railway worker and his family in the remote countryside of the Karoo. Their humdrum lives are turned around by the arrival of a travelling circus, revealing to them the existence of a much bigger world out there. The film sympathetically captures a specific side of Afrikaans small-town life that isn't always fairly represented by filmdom.

A simple but brilliant storyline captured by what must be a vastly talented director. Wonderful camerawork and good acting. This is a thorough, deserving and most enjoyable film. It will no doubt remain a gem in the archives of the art-film.