Spud

In 1990 South Africa, two pivotal events converge - the historic release of Nelson Mandela and a transformative year for John Milton, or "Spud," as he embarks on his first year at an exclusive boys-only private boarding school in Kwazulu-Natal. With an eccentric family background, Spud's new environment is filled with intriguing classmates nicknamed Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man, and Mad Dog, each presenting their own challenges for the young teenager trying to fit in. Navigating through adolescence, Spud takes initial steps towards maturity amidst a whirlwind of unusual experiences.Amidst this backdrop, Spud's family dynamics further complicate his journey into adulthood. His father, preoccupied with anti-communist paranoia, suspects their domestic worker operates a clandestine shebeen from her quarters. On the other hand, Spud's mother personifies free-spiritedness and often proves to be a source of embarrassment for her son as she enthusiastically participates in mundane errands like shopping for his underwear in local supermarkets. Through these trials and tribulations, Spud's coming-of-age tale unfolds with both humor and heartache against the extraordinary backdrop of early '90s South Africa.