What a strange idea to be named "Yesterday", but this Zulu woman was happy enough with that because as her father used to remark, their happiest times were in the past. Yesterday had an only child a daughter and she called her Beauty. This little girl was always asking questions and very soon now she would start in the local school.
Yesterday has a nasty cough and it is predictable that the story which will unfold will revolve around her decline in health. Visits to the local clinic are fruitless as the clinic always closes down before half the patients are looked at. She also resorts to local witchcraft.
The camera work in this dusty landscape is admirable in every detail. The composition of every scene is faultless whether it be a setting sun, a cloud of dust from a passing vehicle or some twisted barbed wire ...everything is just right. The camera captures the primitive living conditions and the hardships which have to be endured.
It's all very sad...but the worst is yet to come. Yesterday is finally diagnosed with the aids virus which means her husband who works in distant Johannesburg has to be medically examined. His response when he learns he has aids is terrifying beating his wife almost to death in sheer frustration.
The only really bright personality that befriends Yesterday is the local schoolteacher who agrees to look after Beauty when aids claims Yesterday as another victim.
One of the saddest parts of the story is the time when Yesterday builds a little room away from the village using scraps of timber and iron she manages to scrounge. She houses her dying husband there and cares for him because he is shunned by all the villagers.
After his death Yesterday has but one desire to see Beauty as a new student in the school yard. A touching moment indeed as she gives a gentle wave to her daughter from the school gate and Beauty smiles back. We know then that Yesterday's dream has been realised.
The film is interesting but not cheerful. The acting is absolutely believable. The cast is small apart from the village extras. If you have dreams of becoming an actor, watch this film and note how good the characterisations are. If you like good camera work, you won't do better than this. A creditable production.
Yesterday has a nasty cough and it is predictable that the story which will unfold will revolve around her decline in health. Visits to the local clinic are fruitless as the clinic always closes down before half the patients are looked at. She also resorts to local witchcraft.
The camera work in this dusty landscape is admirable in every detail. The composition of every scene is faultless whether it be a setting sun, a cloud of dust from a passing vehicle or some twisted barbed wire ...everything is just right. The camera captures the primitive living conditions and the hardships which have to be endured.
It's all very sad...but the worst is yet to come. Yesterday is finally diagnosed with the aids virus which means her husband who works in distant Johannesburg has to be medically examined. His response when he learns he has aids is terrifying beating his wife almost to death in sheer frustration.
The only really bright personality that befriends Yesterday is the local schoolteacher who agrees to look after Beauty when aids claims Yesterday as another victim.
One of the saddest parts of the story is the time when Yesterday builds a little room away from the village using scraps of timber and iron she manages to scrounge. She houses her dying husband there and cares for him because he is shunned by all the villagers.
After his death Yesterday has but one desire to see Beauty as a new student in the school yard. A touching moment indeed as she gives a gentle wave to her daughter from the school gate and Beauty smiles back. We know then that Yesterday's dream has been realised.
The film is interesting but not cheerful. The acting is absolutely believable. The cast is small apart from the village extras. If you have dreams of becoming an actor, watch this film and note how good the characterisations are. If you like good camera work, you won't do better than this. A creditable production.