Losing Lerato (2019)

When life, the law, and the woman he once loved separate him from his child, an estranged young father takes matters into his own hands and finds himself in a high-stakes hostage situation. 

Losing Lerato, the debut film from SAFTA-nominated actor and producer Kagiso Modupe, was the second-biggest South African movie at the local box office last year.  

Kagiso (best known for his long-running role in Scandal!) stars as desperate parent, Thami, while his real-life daughter, nine-year-old Tshimollo Modupe, plays Lerato. 

The cast includes SAFTA nominees Samela Tyelbooi (It’s Complicated) and Zandile Msutwana (White Wedding) and SAFTA winners Connie Chiume (Black Panther, Gomora, Zone 14), Don Mlangeni (Isidingo), and Patrick Mofokeng (Heartlines).

At this year’s Idyllwild International Festival in California, Losing Lerato won Best of Festival, Best Actor for Kagiso, Best Actress for Samela, Best Performance by a Child for Tshimillo, Best Score and the Golden Era Humanitarian Award.