Seasoned actors star in new film 'Sabbatical'

Seasoned actors will feature in a new film, Sabbatical, which hits big screens next month.

The film, set in a close-knit South African community, explores the delicate ties of family, identity and the past.

Directed by Karabo Lediga with Kagiso Lediga as its producer, Sabbatical features actors such as Mona Monyane and Clementine Mosimane, who play a mother and daughter duo, Kedibone Manyaka, Tinah Mnumzana and Nupi Makhobo.

It follows a celebrated investment banker who during a personal breakdown returns to her childhood home, upending her mother’s world. As her secret unfolds, their relationship is forever altered.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Clementine, who plays Doris, said the connection and disconnection between mother and daughter is a crucial journey — sometimes there's lack of communication and sometimes there would be misunderstanding.

“There'll be anger between mothers and their daughters because there's not enough communication in families, also underlying love. What the viewers can take from this film is that Rome wasn't built in a day and to see there will be challenges in families and there will be a way of resolving those,” she said.

Mona, who plays a troublesome daughter, Lesego, reflected on the effect secrets have in families.

“The secrets can destroy. It also depends on the secret. I don't think it's a good idea, no matter how bad the secret is. I say families should come together and expose everything, no matter how bad it is. If you're a family, you'll find your way back because you are a unit.

“Blood is thicker than water, but it is something over the years people have moved away from. Secrets are not good at all,” she said.

Sabbatical will premiere on May 9 in cinemas across South Africa.