‘Umjolo: Day Ones’ explores cultural struggles in an interracial marriage, friendship, infidelity and misogyny
Fans of “Umjolo: Gone Girl” wasted little time in watching “Umjolo: Days Ones”, the second offering in the four-part film collection on Netflix.
Stained Glass, an award-winning production company, continues to prove its Midas touch by holding a mirror to the challenges in modern relationships, unpacking the cultural struggles of an interracial couple, friendship, infidelity and self-love.
The new offering asks the question that has resulted in heated debates for the longest time: Can a man and woman be platonic friends?
The film centres on Zanele (Sibusisiwe Jili) and Andile (Kay Sibiya). They have been each other's ride-or-die since they were in school. Initially, their friendship didn’t sit well with Andile’s wife, Jessica (Trix Vivier).
However, Jessica was reassured by her husband that they were just friends.
Two little girls later, Zanele has become a part of their happy family. Andile’s daughters adore their aunty and their feelings are reciprocated by Zanele.
The start of the movie opens with Jessica planning a 60th birthday bash for Andile’s dad.
However, despite Jessica’s best efforts to impress her father-in-law, he treats Zanele as more of a daughter-in-law than her at the shindig.
Things go pear-shaped when Andile’s dad berates his three children for being a major disappointment. During his venting, he criticised Andile for not following his tradition, for marrying a white woman and for not giving them an heir.
Although the couple moved on from the family drama, the words of his father weigh on Andile, who understands his father’s concern about not being able to continue their bloodline.
Meanwhile, Andile and Zanele’s high school reunion throws an interesting conundrum into the mix when they decide to hook up.
Zanele is filled with remorse over it the next day while Andile is conflicted by his feelings.
As such, Zanele takes some time away from them and decides to find love and move forward with her life. She matches with Sbu (Menzi Biyela), the owner of a lifestyle lounge, on a dating app and he ticks all her boxes.
Their whirlwind romance doesn’t sit well with Andile, though.
Blinded by jealousy, he confesses his love for Zanele unbeknown that his wife was within earshot of their conversation.
Jessica, who is madly in love with her husband, is devastated to learn about his infidelity, unbeknown there is another twist to the story that’s yet to come.
The principal cast in the love triangle play their roles with commendable finesse. Jili displays the nuances of a single woman, who finds herself being the third wheel in her friend’s life.
While she holds down a successful career, her personal life is in shambles. It feels like she’s living her life through the experiences of Andile and his family.
What hurts the most is her belief that she can never have children.
Vivier delivers a sublime performance as a doting wife who tries her best to adapt to her husband’s culture, which is steeped in misogyny. She takes viewers through a roller-coaster of emotions from anger and hurt to self-love and respect.
Sibiya has his work cut out for him with this role. At first, he is torn between family obligations and following his heart.
But his selfishness takes root after his one-night fling with Zanele, where he appears to want his cake and eat it.
He is so wrapped up in his feelings that he forsakes all the other blessings in his life - and he pays the price for it.
“Umjolo: Day Ones” boasts relatable scenarios and provides food for thought.
The ending is brutally honest as it looks at questionable morals and unrequited love.
Meanwhile, “Umjolo: My Beginning, My End” has dropped on Netflix.
The third film centres on Mayi, who finds herself trapped between family and following her heart after meeting a charming saxophonist while she’s about to walk down the aisle.
Directed by Zuko Nodada, the script is penned by Thuli Zuma and Thutu Zuma. The film stars Nombulelo Mhlongo, Busisiwe Mtshali, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, Tina Redman, Shezi Sibongiseni, Londeka Sishi and Yonda Thomas.
∎ “Umjolo: Day Ones ” is streaming on Netflix.