Life, Above All

The gates are opening

Amen

The gates are opening

The gates are opening

Are your parents late?

No.

Who's coming?

Your papa?

He's working.

Your mother?

Mama's not feeling well.

An uncle?

An aunt?

Come with me.

Don't worry.

There are less costly ones.

There are all kinds

of models for infants.

There is lining all around the coffin.

Sarah will look beautiful

shrouded in white.

All you'll see is her pretty face.

Iris, careful.

Sarah's been sleeping all morning.

Go wake her, I want to go inside.

Wait for Mama to say so.

- Why is Sarah sleeping?

- Because she's a baby.

- I want to come in!

- Not now.

Let me in or I'll tell my father!

Hello, Mama.

Mr. Chauke says he'll come

for Sarah at 1:
00...

...and that you shouldn't worry,

it will be a beautiful funeral.

Tell him not to come.

We can't afford it.

- But...

- The money's gone.

- What?

- Someone stole it.

I heard about Sarah.

So sad.

Jonah! It's Chanda.

He beat himself with a rock,

to chase out the demons.

Not hard enough!

You're funny!

Mr. Chauke is coming for Sarah

at 1:
00.

One o'clock!

What are you doing?

It's to bury Sarah.

Hey! Give that back!

Give that money back!

Look who decided to come to school!

Chanda!

Where were you this morning?

It's my little sister.

She passed away.

I'm sorry.

Stay home a few days.

Becca! Calm down!

Esther!

Don't look at me like that!

You skip classes, so do I.

What is it?

Sarah?

I'm sorry.

Really sorry.

Hello, Mrs. Tafa.

Can I phone Mama's family?

I came by this morning,

but nobody answered.

I'm sorry.

It's Sarah.

I heard.

Hey, you!

Go play somewhere else!

Now!

Mama doesn't want them to know.

Your mother is a wise woman.

Can I call the family from your house?

It's your mama

who should do the calling.

The funeral is Thursday.

Yes.

Please let them know, Mr. Kamwendo.

Goodbye.

Sarah's death is so sad.

Just like my Emmanuel's.

At least they died pure.

Everyone knows

Sarah died of influenza...

...and that my Emmanuel was killed

during that awful robbery.

No one can spread rumors

or point fingers.

You understand what I'm saying?

Do you?

Do you or don't you?

Mama. Will Grandma recognize me?

Sure, when she sees those cheeks!

- What about my cheeks?

- Let's see.

That's for sure.

The bus from Tiro is here!

I'm the only one who could come.

I'm sick of being bounced about

all day.

I've had enough.

Hello.

Are these two from the new husband?

Jonah.

Hey, are you going to help me,

or just stand there looking lazy?

Chanda is always helping.

She's very good in school.

My back is killing me!

"My back is killing me!"

Cheeky! You're your mother's son!

Sarah is hiding. We have to find her.

How do we find her?

You have to know where to look.

I know all her hiding places.

I want to search too.

You're too little.

I have special eyes.

Nothing can hide from me.

You can scrub

but that dirt won't come out.

We'll see.

Lillian is always cleaning.

Ever since the day I put her up

with her late husband...

...it's always spotless.

- You put them up?

- Yes.

Mrs. Tafa is a real friend.

Remember when you rented

this place, how we fixed it up?

"God loves a cheerful giver."

Those bracelets.

How does she manage to wear them?

And her skirt!

It's so short,

if she bends over, all the neighbors...

...will see her panties!

Don't you worry,

I'm not wearing any panties.

What did she say?

This girl's always been a wild one!

And you tell me

she's Chanda's friend?

She helps us, at least.

Let me just tell you,

watch out for this Esther.

You feel sorry for her...

...since her parents died,

but if she isn't careful...

...she'll meet a bad end like them.

I hope she burned their sheets!

Jonah.

Lillian!

Open up!

Open up, woman!

Let me in, you devil!

Leave him.

Open up.

Auntie Ruth is here.

Go watch the children.

You poisoned Sarah.

You're drunk!

You poisoned her with your milk.

Shut up!

You make me feel ashamed.

I'm sorry, Lillian.

Our little Sarah.

Papa!

My darlings.

- Papa loves you so much.

- Papa's not feeling well.

- He needs rest.

- Come play, Papa.

Go for a walk.

No!

Come home with me,

I have lots of candy.

Leave me alone!

Papa said you made Sarah sick.

- When?

- Just now, when he was yelling.

Sarah's on a trip. That's all.

Will you give us away too?

How could you think that?

You want us to go to Auntie Ruth's.

- Are you going to get rid of us?

- Not in your life.

So why can't we stay?

Papa is resting.

I promised Auntie Ruth

that you'd stay with her.

Just a few days.

Then you can come home.

Okay?

Come to your Auntie Ruth's.

I have plenty of nice things.

Ice cream, sweets,

everything you want.

"They who believe in me...

...believe in God...

...and will live for eternity."

I'll always be your friend, you know.

Even if people say bad things

about your family.

I'll always be your friend.

What would they say?

I don't know.

But if that should happen...

...and they say things

about your family...

...I'll still be your friend.

Don't talk nonsense.

It's bad luck.

You'll stay my friend or what?

Yes. I'll stay your friend.

Your best friend.

I knew you'd say that.

We're friends for life.

You won't let me down.

I know that.

Sorry about your little sister.

Thank you, Sipho.

Lillian...

...you can sew for our church.

We will support you...

...and help you get through this.

Thank you, Rose.

Lillian...

...I'm going to find work...

...and look after you.

Please, forgive me.

Forgive me, Lillian.

We're glad you came.

I know my duty.

Don't bother waiting with me.

Your Sarah paid a terrible price.

What?

As you sow, so shall you reap, sister.

The sins are visited on the children.

Repent.

What is it?

What did she mean?

Tell me.

Why do they hate you?

They'll never forgive me.

They'd arranged for me

to marry someone from Tiro.

But your papa and I...

...loved each other so much...

...that we stood up...

...to our families.

Your father was a good man.

May he rest in peace.

Jonah?

Look who's here!

What have you brought me?

Superb!

Your mother does the best work.

How is she?

She's been resting at the house...

...since Sarah went away.

She works hard.

Good work should be rewarded.

See you on Sunday.

Where's Jonah?

That idiot?

I haven't seen him in months.

Why are you wearing his jacket?

Jonah owes me money.

He gave it to me.

I haven't seen him in ages.

That's the truth, girl.

I don't believe you!

You shouldn't have washed

Soly's sheets.

You didn't see his face,

so ashamed.

It was nothing.

From Mr. Pheto.

He asked how you were.

- More gossip.

- No.

He meant well.

It hurts all over.

It hurts all the time.

Except when I look at you.

I ran into Dudu.

That good-for-nothing!

She says Jonah is in Jo'burg.

Away for three months

without a word!

- What are you doing?

- He can go to hell.

- What if he comes back?

- He's a liar!

Nothing but promises!

What are you doing

with Papa's things?

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