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 watch party 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 enjoy most or least about the film? Which characters stood out for you, surprised you or upset you?
- How did Ayize feel about being a father of a newborn baby? Do you think he made enough effort to learn what to do as a father?
- Many people, including the nurse and Nomvula’s mom, Cecelia, did not think Ayize should have so much access to the baby. Do you agree or disagree – and why?
- What did Cecelia, Nomvula’s mother, think about Ayize? What do you think of her response to him?
- Why did Nomvula feel that it was important for Ayize to have contact with the baby in her first 1000 days?
- Do you agree with Bra Vusi (Ayize’s father) when he said that the only important thing is a father’s ability to provide? Why or why not?
- 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.
"I didn’t need a few Rands from some invisible hand. Why didn’t you just come by? Didn’t you want to know me?"
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