The Forgotten Kingdom

Joseph is an angry young man. As played by Zenzo Ngqobe in a terrific performance, the protagonist of “The Forgotten Kingdom” has lived most of his short life full of hate — at his father, who took him from his home village in South Africa, at his circumstances and at himself. Now a cool city cat who likes to carouse with his friends, smoke cigarettes and cruise for hotties, he is purposeless and untethered from any sense of home or community.

That gradually changes in “The Forgotten Kingdom,” a lush drama from writer/director Andrew Mudge, making his first feature film. It’s an elegiac, yet hopeful look at one man/boy making a physical journey as well as a spiritual one.

Joseph, who has eschewed his African name of Atang for a Christian one, visits his estranged father (Jerry Phele) to find him dead. With his mother long dead, he discovers that his father, a humble thatcher of roofs, has already paid for an expensive funeral in their hometown. Joseph escorts the body to oversee the process — but not before extracting a large refund on the lavish casket his father selected, opting for a cheap one instead.

While at the funeral, he spots Dineo (Nozipho Nkelemba), a girl he grew up with. Joseph delays his return to the city, and the beginnings of a small, vibrant romance begin. Dineo teaches Joseph to slow down, meditate about his life and see himself as part of a broader community. Not surprisingly, he starts to think more about his father and even sees him in visions.

But Dineo’s father is a stern man. He demands an outrageous price for his permission for Joseph and Dineo to marry, sending Joseph hurtling back into his funk and back to his city life. Something happens along the way, however, and eventually he finds himself making a long trip by a horse and by foot to see Dineo again.

His guide is a young orphan boy (Lebohang Ntsane) who claims semi-mystical powers. Joseph is dubious at first, scoffing at rural tribes people and their superstitions.

“The Forgotten Kingdom” drags at time, but it offers a simple and heartwarming message about having a life that is inner-directed versus connected to others. While its tale is familiar, it’s still a refreshing one that needs retelling.

3.5 Yaps