Material

Where do you draw the line between laughter and too much laughter? In this funny, moving film, we follow Cassim Kaif on his way to becoming a stand-up comedian. Cassim is Indian Muslim, and lives with his family in Johannesburg. Cassim's father runs the fabric shop that his father started, and it is intended that Cassim take over the family business one day. But Cassim's dream is to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets a gig at a bar, he has to keep it secret, as his father believes that too much laughter is sinful. Cassim uses his own experiences as an Indian and a Muslim in his jokes, which raises the question about what is okay to make fun of. ibh

Craig Freimond is both the writer and director of Material (2012). This is his third feature film as director. He has also written and directed several TV series. His debut feature film, Gums & Noses (2004), won Best Feature at the Apollo Film Festival in South Africa.