SUPERMAMA IS MORE TRUE TO LIFE THAN YOU MAY THINK

THE Adventures of Supermama tells the story of a regular South African who, after becoming a crime statistic, decided to become a superhero. As far-fetched as this script might sound to some, for the star of the movie, Nomsa Buthelezi, the script was far more relatable than she anticipated.

The Adventures of Supermama tells the story of Doris Ratabane who, after being robbed on her way back home from work, decides to fight crime by becoming a superhero. Her quest to take down the bad guy leads her to a martial arts expert, who trains her.

Buthelezi said that she was attracted to the role because, as a young girl, she often pestered her father to buy her kung fu movies so she could learn the Chinese art form.

“Growing up, I played with boys and we would always fight so one day I started asking my father to by me Jet Lee DVDs and he did. I would watch them and copy the moves, and I even ended up hitting boys after that, so this role is like a childhood dream come true,” she said.

Buthelezi said that, after being cast as the lead, she went through intense kung fu and tai chi training for two months to prepare for the role.

“This role required me to do a lot of kung fu so Leo Ming, who plays my master in the movie, actually trained me off screen as well and I can’t even tell you how daunting it was in the begining. I was a wreck on the first day of training because I was nervous”, she said.

The Adventures of Supermama also stars Desmond Dube and Michael Mabizela and was shot in Johannesburg. It has also been screened at the 2018 editions of the Durban International Film Festival, Jozi Film Festival and the

Cape Town International Film Festival. The film was also nominated for Best Comedy of the Year at the African

Movie Academy Awards last year.

Just like Doris, Buthelezi grew up in Alexander.

“Growing up, I saw how community members would fight against crime in the area and this movie stays very true to that, it’s authentic in its storytelling and I think people will really appreciate that about this movie,” she said.

The Lockdown actress and Our Perfect Wedding presenter said that being a part of the production had been a lifechanging moment. She said that a few weeks after filming wrapped up, she and a friend were attacked by six men.

“They approached us because we are lesbians and wanted to teach us a lesson – those words came out of their mouths. They hit my friend in the head and within seconds Doris came out of me and I hit them back. I even broke a broomstick to defend myself so the training came in very handy,” she said.

Buthelezi said that the movie would leave viewers inspired.

“I am a fat girl and many times people look at me and decide what I am able to do and can’t do. They did that when I entered the industry, saying I was not the right size, did not have the right look and was not the right age. So people always have something to say but this movie takes makes a hero out of an unlikely person and shows us that we can conquer and do anything we want to. It also shows how important family is in a fun way”.

Director Karen van Schalkwyk said she was thrilled that audiences would have the opportunity to see the film on the circuit. “It has been the culmination of many years of hard work. It was great fun making this film and it is fantastic that Supermama can finally have a life of her own and get out there into the world.”