Stefanie Sycholt (South Africa/Germany)
There are some rather too-strong plot parallels between this debut feature and Central Station, the Oscar-winning Brazilian film of a few years ago. Here, in post-apartheid South Africa, a young black street kid known as Wonderboy (Kagiso Mtetwa) improbably befriends Kobus (Ian Roberts), a tough, unsentimental former Afrikaan soldier of the regime, an ex-hero now struggling to find work and come to terms with the new social and political realities. As in Central Station, the youngster embarks on a long road trek with his reluctant companion, in search of a missing parent, carrying only a cherished letter from his mother. Nevertheless, with two remarkable lead performances, Syncholt manages to make it work beautifully, and there will be few dry eyes at the end. - M.P.

(Wed., Sept. 12, 9 p.m. Cumberland 2; Fri., Sept. 14, 10:45 a.m., Cumberland 1)