Girl, Taken (2022)
Named Best South African Documentary Film at the 2022 Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), Girl, Taken is the incredible story of two parents whose baby was stolen at birth, who miraculously found her 17 years later, and who then lost her again…
Girl, Taken was co-directed by multi-award-winners Francois Verster and Simon Wood, whose previous collaboration, Scenes From a Dry City, was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy, earned a Special Mention at AFI Docs, and was named World Press Photo Online Video of the Year.
The 92-minute documentary follows Celeste and Morne Nurse, whose baby daughter Zephany was stolen from hospital three days after her birth in Cape Town, April 1997. For 17 years, the devastated couple searched for Zephany, regularly making media appeals, hiring private detectives and following false leads.
Then in 2015, their second daughter, Cassidy, enrolled in a new school, where other pupils pointed out an older pupil, Miche Solomon, who looked much like her. DNA samples confirmed that Miche was Zephany, and, incredibly, she had grown up only a few miles from the Nurse’s home. The Nurses were overjoyed, and the story saw them becoming media darlings around the world.
However, the arrest and trial of the seamstress whom Miche knew as her loving mother devastated her and ultimately, she chose to remain with the kidnapper’s family. The Nurses, against all expectations, lost their daughter a second time. This film follows the process of two broken families climbing the difficult path towards forgiveness and wholeness.
“It could have been sensationalist, but it wasn't,” said the DIFF jury, praising the “twists and turns” and “many complexities and different layers” of the “real human story about family.” Similarly, alongside its international release on Paramount+, Heat (UK) gave Girl, Taken four stars, calling it “compelling and heartbreaking stuff.”
More like this
Giants S1
A compelling docuseries that takes you deep inside the lives of players from one of South Africa's most iconic football clubs, Orlando Pirates.
Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants
You can now binge-watch all five episodes of Giants, which takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of a legendary football club: Orlando Pirates
Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)
When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.
Tracking Thabo Bester
A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who faked his own death. All episodes are on Showmax.
5 reasons to pick up HBO’s Telemarketers
Scam caller alert! Five reasons to find out who’s really cashing in on a job that everyone hates, in the HBO documentary series The Telemarketers.
Telemarketers
Two former telemarketers team up to investigate the dark side of American capitalism, uncovering widespread abuse of customer trust.
10 game-changing shows to celebrate Showmax turning 10
Stream these original titles to celebrate Showmax turning 10. A decade later, streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries.
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.
Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax
Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax
More eye-opening documentaries
Showmax presents: September 5 — A riveting look at a pivotal moment in news history
Showmax is proud to announce the streaming premiere of September 5, a gripping documentary that has earned a remarkable list of accolades.
12 South African movies you've probably never seen
Sci-fi, drama, sex, romance, comedy - these homegrown hidden gems have it all. Stream them all on Showmax.
From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham
Ahead of the London derby between Spurs and West Ham, defender Micky van de Ven chats about his journey to the top.
Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running
Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo predicts his former club will go on to win their 4th consecutive MTN8 title.
Latest Stories
Showmax presents: September 5 — A riveting look at a pivotal moment in news history
From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham
Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running
Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax
Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants
The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window
SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival
Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins
Christopher Jaftha gets top billing in raunchy Khaki Fever
Nkululeko Mahlangu on Makoto, marriage and more
Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog
What to watch on Showmax in September 2025
Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2
Tshepo Miya talks about being on Married at First Sight
Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final
Khaki Fever and more sexy Afrikaans movies and series
Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax
5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Ilana Glazer delivers in Babes
Makoto on what really went down in her Married at First Sight journey
Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more
5 new reality shows on Showmax in August
The Big 6ix on new Premier League season and their SA adventure
Will anyone stop the champs? Booth on Downs' quest for a 9th title
