The Cane Cutter: A cinematic tribute to Durban's Indian heritage and resilience

While the movie The Cane Cutter is awash with the well-known trauma, tragedies and triumphs of the Indian indentured labourers since their arrival in South Africa, the film is also a celebration of the city of Durban and its umbilical attachment to this tribe

It was fitting that the movie's “World Premiere” happened at the city’s Suncoast CineCentre on Monday, around the 165th anniversary of the indentured labourers arrival.

The movie's official release in theatres was on Friday.

Apart from a scene shot in Cape Town and another in New York City, where the mother of Dev, the male lead played by Razeen Dada, engages in a long-distance telephone call with her son; Durban, its sites, slangs, sounds and its accomplished sons and daughters takes centre-stage.   

Given Durban’s association with the Indian community ever since the SS Truro docked there on November 16, 1860, it came down to the creativity of the movie’s producer (Shan Moodley) and director (Eubulus Timothy) to infuse the city’s flavours into the storyline.

Against his parents’ best wishes, Dev is pursuing his dream of producing a documentary that tells the story of his grandfather’s journey as an indentured labourer.

He falls in love with the leading lady, Amisha (Dr. Kajal Lutchminarain), a medical doctor  who has to deal with the trappings of her life, particularly her mother’s unrelenting judgement that weighs heavily on her.

In one instance, Amisha's mother, of Gujarati descent, had a choice word to describe her love interest, Dev, who is of Telugu origin.

“Sies!”

Other words typically from the Durban dialect that made the script, included laaitie (youngster) and swaak (not so good).

Stunning views of the city's famous landmarks also feature in the movie, like the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the Point Waterfront precinct, Ushaka Marine World, Durban's harbour entrance, Coastlands Hotel-Musgrave and St Thomas Anglican Church in Glenwood.

A popular made in Durban guitar piece, Shireen's theme, performed by Clayton Joseph and previously published by Mohammed Gani of Raj Music also features in the flick. 

Good calls were made by the movie’s makers for the setting of some scenes, like the one shot on Yusuf Dadoo (formerly Grey) Street, due its long-standing association with the Indian community.

In that scene, the Daily News columnist, Sheetal Bhoola, who is a university lecturer and researcher, converses with Dev about his movie project.

Another spiritual home for many generations of the Indian community is the Curries Fountain Stadium on Winterton Walk, Greyville, which was known for its role in non-racial sport through the apartheid years.

Sam Ramsamy, an anti-apartheid activist who championed non-racialism in sport, was interviewed for Dev’s doccie at Curries.

Considering the personality and the reams of written work he’s produced over years, Ikes Books in Morningside provided the setting for an interview with academic Ashwin Desai.  

Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Ela Gandhi, Devi Rajab, Navi Pillay and cricketer Senuran Muthusamy who is doing wonders with the bat and ball on the Indian sub-continent presently, are the well-achieved individuals who make cameo appearances in the movie.

“There’s not a single sphere of life that Indians have not contributed significantly to in their 165 years arriving in the country,” Moodley told Darren Maule in the question and answer session with cast and filmmakers after the movie’s screening.

“One of the main reasons for the movie was that my children didn't understand our history… we are proud South Africans, we have earned our right to be South African citizens.” said Moodley.

Timothy said making the movie was a journey that celebrated the achievements of the Indian community, “and we got to show-off our city.”

“I want to thank the cast and the crew for their efforts…the cinematography was outstanding,” said Timothy.

Shika Maharaj who plays Priya, said: “It is a special movie about the indentured labourers and I wanted to be a part of it.

“I was vying for the lead, but I couldn't have lost to a better person (Lutchminarain). Amisha’s story appealed to me as an independent and single mom

It has been an invigorating experience.”

Vanessa Marawa said she was reluctant at first because she was scared to fumble the strong message the movie carried.

Marawa noted that Durban Indians and Africans were dealing with similar issues in everyday life, "narcissistic mothers, depression and love”.

“A lot of the stuff we hold onto currently, the negative energy…is a waste of time,” said Marawa.

Lutchminarain said it was the first time all of the cast got to watch the final version of the movie.

“Watching myself on screen was like being in another world. I loved it!”

Lutchminarain said her role in the movie was not only an accomplishment for her, but she carried some of the unfulfilled wishes of her mother and grandmother.

DAILY NEWS