'Cane Cutter' explores love and heritage, while celebrating Indian contributions

THE highly anticipated film The Cane Cutter which pays homage to the enduring legacy of Indian indentured workers in South Africa opened in cinemas on Friday.

- TASCHICA PILLAY

THE red carpet was rolled out in Durban for the premiere of the local movie The Cane Cutter at Suncoast CineCentre. The film's actresses Shika Maharaj, Kajal Lutchminarian and Vanessa Marawa are pictured with the film's producer Shan Moodley, left and director Dr Eubulus Timothy. DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers

(DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers)

The film celebrates and acknowledges the contributions of Indians in South Africa.

Produced by Shan Moodley and directed by Dr Eubulus Timothy, the film takes the audience back to 1911 when two teens fell in love while travelling on the last ship carrying indentured labourers to Durban.

At its heart lies a poignant love story between a girl, a paid passenger from Gujarat, and a Telugu boy, who is an indentured labourer. Fate intervenes, leaving them separated upon arrival in Durban, mirroring the real-life stories of countless individuals from that era.