Life of Christ with a South African twist

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They have more of a struggle getting through the life of a black Christ in the fictional African Kingdom of Judea.

Escaping armed militants during a civil war, Mary (Pauline Malefane, who played Carmen in the previous film and is also co-writer and co-composer here) hides in a shattered school as an angel tells her she will bear the Son of God.

Jesus (Andile Kosi), reaching adulthood despite Herod, goes to the big city gathering disciples (this time including several women) and preaches non-violence as a pacifist resistance organiser.

Finally shot and given a secret burial in a mass grave, he is dug up and mounted on a crucifix. There is no resurrection.

The filming is plain, unfussy and purposefully restrained in fine South African locations, augmented by some fine sombre singing in Xhosa.

But the whole, though provocative, isn't as moving as it might have been and the Saviour seems more like a latterday Gandhi than Christ, despite the presence of Satan (Andries Mbali), Judas (Jim Ngxabaze) and a posse of pretty boy angels.

Son Of Man
Cert: 12A