Family Portrait
Ayize (Ebenhaezer Dibakwane) is a struggling artist who becomes a new father when his girlfriend Nomvula (Lebohang Mthunzi) has a baby. He is devoted to both her and their baby girl, Zenzile. But he must prove to his rather terrifying and tough mother-in-law Cecilia (Pascaline Phale) that he is good enough to be a good dad, even though he can’t provide financially.
Can he gain Cecilia’s trust and support even though he doesn’t have a steady job?
Family Portrait is one of the Heartlines Fathers Matter films released in 2022. It stars Ebenhaezer Dibakwane (Ayize), Lebohang Mthunzi (Nomvula) and Pascaline Phale (Cecelia) and is in Sesotho and isiZulu, with subtitles in English.
Looking for the film discussion guides? Click here.
Watch the movie
If you need to use the film offline for a showing or discussion group, you can download it below. Please note that copyright applies to all the Fathers Matter films.
Hosting a viewing for Family Portrait?
We have some great questions to help you continue the conversation once you've watched the film.
Read more below or click here to download the full discussion guide.
- What did you think of the film, and the different characters?
- The nurse won’t allow Ayize access to the ward where Nomvula is. What do you think of what the nurse did?
- What did Cecelia, Nomvula’s mother, think about Ayize? Do you agree with her views? Why or why not?
- Why did Nomvula want Ayize involved with their baby from the beginning?
- Do you agree with Bra Vusi (Ayize’s father) when he says that the most important thing a father does is to provide?
- What things do mothers and fathers have to learn how to do with a newborn child? Share your experiences.
- What’s one thing you’d like to do or a conversation you’d like to have after watching this film?
Looking for help?
If you or someone you know was impacted by this film and would like help to take the next steps in their journey, there are many different organisations in South Africa doing great work to support fathers and families.
Click on the link below to find out more about some of these support organisations.
Read our interview with director Twiggy Matiwana
Twiggy Matiwana is an award-winning director with an innate curiosity and love for storytelling and film. She embraced the opportunity to direct one of the new Heartlines Fathers Matter films because she felt it was an important story to tell.
Film Gallery
Behind the scenes
Watch the story behind Family Portrait
Production Information
- Running Time: 25min
- Release Date: 17 September 2022
- Rating: PG
- Genre: Drama
- Language: Sesotho, isiZulu
- Director: Twiggy Matiwana
- Cast: Ebenhaezer Dibakwane, Lebohang Mthunzi, Pascaline Phale, John Ncamane, Sello Motloung
- Written by: Salah Sabiti