Material, a locally produced movie featuring home-grown acting talent, is such a film. This heart-warming story, set in Johannesburg, makes life seem very much worth living.

Riaad Moosa, a well-known local comic, plays the lead character, Cassim Kaif, who lives with his Muslim family in a Fordsburg flat.

His days are about prayer, family and working in his devout father's fabric shop, which he is expected to one day take over.

He is a good son, and his only apparent failing is that he is without a bride.

This is something the women in his family intend rectifying swiftly.

But then one evening, somehow, he finds he has a talent and a love for open-mic comedy sessions in late-night drinking bars.

Cassim from then on is compelled to find any reason to leave home at night to perform in venues without his parents' knowledge.

The clash of cultures represented by his Muslim family and the drinking holes where he performs gives rise to obvious conflicts and disappointments.

But it's conflict that puts life into perspective and it takes the Kaif family on a journey of self-discovery, self-reflection and forgiveness.

This story is a reminder of the importance of family, but also, according to producer Ronnie Apteker, the big message of the movie is that the world will conspire to reward you, "if you follow what is in your heart".

Producer and writer Craig Freimond, with the help of a large support team, has successfully made a touching movie without any trace of corniness.

There are appearances by Moosa's fellow comedians, Joey Rasdien, Nik Rabinowitz and Mel Miller. The cast includes Denise Newman as Cassim's mother Fatima Kaif and Vincent Ebrahim as his father, Ebrahim Kaif. It opens on February 17.

Join The Times on Friday for a sneak preview of Material. Before the screening, film critic Barry Ronge will talk to Riaad Moosa and Joey Rasdien about the making of the film.

When: Friday, 10 February 2012 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Cost: Tickets, R50 includes popcorn and a coke

Where: CineCentre at Killarney Mall

To book: email goodtimes@sundaytimes.co.za