This picturesque film features not only beautiful settings in South Africa, but solid acting and a unique and intriguing story. Starring Tea Leoni as Emmie Khumalo and Tony Kgoroge as Thabo Khumalo, they take in an orphaned boy named August (Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane), who becomes fascinated with an ostrich whom he eventually names Koobus.
The plot centers around young August finding his place with his new parents. He doesn’t know that his mother has passed and at first Emmie can’t see herself as a mother, but eventually she and August form a bond as he does also with Thabo. August also settles in at school, where he is told to sit next to a girl who becomes a good friend to him.
One interesting aspect of the plot is how August takes care of the ostrich egg until it is hatched, watching over it protectively as if he were the mother! The viewer may well hold his/her breath when the egg at one point falls down some cement stairs. Thankfully it survives the fall.
In the beginning August looks at a locket he has with his mother’s picture in it, and we learn that young August has been handed around from family member to family member. The stability he finds with Emmie and Thabo is touching.
Watching the movie for most viewers will be like watching a different world. For those who love unusual animals, this movie is full of them, and the growing fondness August gains for his new home is moving. August makes the mistake, however, of bringing Koobus to the school and some boys become aggressive with the ostrich and he runs towards them. The truth is stretched and August, Emmie, and Thabo wind up in court in defense of Koobus. The ostrich is ordered destroyed and soon August runs away with him, hoping to keep him safe. Watching August ride Koobus is a gratifying moment in the movie.
We won’t spoil the plot, but rest assured a lot will happen before the conclusion of the movie involving August, Koobus, Emmie, and Thabo. Not only is the cinematography top notch, but there are some thought-provoking comments, such as when Thabo tells August that the two most important days in a person’s life are when you are born, and when you figure out why. Once a purpose is identified, life has a powerful meaning.
The movie features not only some serious themes, but humor too which works well, such as when Koobus peeks in at the classroom through the class window.
Content Analysis: Although there is not an overt Christian theme, the idea of finding purpose in one’s life is presented and watching out for your family and friends. August’s new family encourages his interest in animals and birds.
Think About It: Discussion topics include the importance of parental guidance, how people can become friends and important to your life, and how sometimes unexpected people become friends. Also, being true to yourself is important such as August’s growing love for birds.
The Dove Take: This is an interesting movie that takes place in a world vastly different from what most people are used to, but it shows how all people are the same in many ways. It’s well worth watching.
