Angels in Exile (2016)

Angels in Exile Poster

Two homeless children attempt to escape the dangerous streets of Durban, South Africa.

Intro
"Angels in Exile" is a poignant and mind-blowing 2016 documentary film directed by Billy Raftery. Told by Charlize Theron, this film takes a deep dive into Durban's street kids issue, using a well balanced point of view of the reality and the systemic problems that trigger it.

Plot and Setting
The film is embeded in Durban, South Africa, following the life of street kids, notably Zulieka and Ariel. Combining the challenges of hardship and drug dependence, it causes the audience an understanding of the basic issues these children deal with every day.

Central Characters
Zulieka, a young girl, and Ariel, a young Boy, are the primary focus of the documentary. Zulieka is a 12-year-old girl who, having succumbed to the pressures of street life, has fallen under a spiral of drug dependency. Ariel, meanwhile, intends to break free from the shackles of this hazardous environment. The film is a testimony to their resistant and combating spirit in the middle of squashing difficulties.

Societal Issues Highlighted
"Angels in Exile" deeply inspects the endemic social issues that flow in South African society. It shows how the broken home environment and widespread hardship force these children onto the streets from a young age. Deserted and overlooked by their families, they typically fall under substance abuse as a method to escape their dire scenarios and suppress their hunger.

Narration and Storytelling
Charlize Theron, an Academy-award-winning actress and South African native, masterfully tells the documentary. Her genuine narrative records the essence of these children's predicaments and forces the audience to fathom their struggles. The film presents an eight-year journey, with filmmaker Billy Raftery working closely with the street kids to provide an authentic first-hand account of their lives.

Effect and Reception
"Angels in Exile" has been praised for its rawness and genuineness in portraying the severe realities on the streets of Durban. It not only raises awareness of this overlooked part of society however also requires immediate action. The film provides an intimate perspective that stirs empathy and enhances understanding of the complexities surrounding this prevalent issue. It has brought to light the dire requirement for a structural modification to ease their suffering.

Raftery's Involvement
Raftery immerses himself in the children's lives, revealing an unfiltered peek into their precarious presence. His vision is to bring attention to this issue and advocate for these marginalized children, and to do this, he created the Indanda Foundation. The structure supplies these kids with the necessary resources such as education and rehabilitation programs.

Conclusion
"Angels in Exile" is a profound documentary including the voices of those generally unheard and unseen. Fixating the pushing concern of street children in Durban, it showcases the guts and resilience of these kids while advocating collective action. The motion picture works as a strong suggestion of the immediate requirement for proper governmental procedures to deal with hardship, damaged homes, and widespread drug use among homeless children. Through this film, Raftery intends to influence virtuous changes in society's viewpoint and actions towards these marginalized groups.

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