A SHORT FIILM BY MBALI MASHABA
STORY
Genre: Comedy
Themes: Respectability politics, Respect vs Independence.
Tone: Lighthearted and funny
I THINK I
SHOULD
MBALI MASHABA
directors
Statement
"I grew up in a loving, deeply religious Black household where respecting your elders was anunshakable principle, even when silence meant compromising yourself. As I matured, I realised how many young Black women carry this tension, especially in cultural spaces like the hair salon. The salon is more than a beauty destination. It is a cultural institution, a place where identity isshaped, trends are born, and community stories unfold. Yet it is also a space where young women often grapple with the pressure to remain polite, grateful and agreeable, even when they are uncomfortable.For many of us, there is a distinct rite of passage in navigating your first hair appointment, yourfirst appointment alone, and especially the first moment you speak up for the look you truly want. The film interrogates this relationship with autonomy from teenhood to adulthood through theperspective of a young black woman in a simple everyday encounter of getting her hair done through a coming of age comedy.”
MBALI MASHABADIRECTOR’S
I THINK I
SHOULD
MBALI MASHABA
Lets explore
characters
I THINK I
SHOULD
MBALI MASHABA
mbali
Lead
PLAYED BY BOTLHALE BOIKANYO
A broke student, Mbali, is an awkward, people pleaser whose self confidence is developing. Mbali grew up in a strict South African family where displaying respect was the most important thing in every interaction, even if it meant sacrificing one’s true opinions and voice. Her inner self is quite the opposite, vocalizing every expression in an outward way. She represents Mbali’s true thoughts and feelings and shows up to challenge her to voice her true feelings and thoughts in situations. She is a more confident, well versed and critical version of self who speaks confidently and critically in humor, sarcasm and honesty.
PLAYED BY ZUKISWA NGODWANA
Ruby, is a hardworking, pompous and stubborn hair dresser. She is overly confident about her braiding skills and struggles to deal with criticism or feedback. Her stubbornness stems from her hardworking nature, believing that she can achieve all things, given her past and where is currently is now. She holds african traditional values highly, and believes she knows it all because of her age and experience.
ruby
Lead
I THINK I
SHOULD
MBALI MASHABA
supporting
Cast
SBUDA PLAYED BY MARCUS MOLEMANE
NANDI PLAYED BY THULI NGCAWENI
uMA PLAYED BY STHANDIWE KGOROGE
CHIOMA PLAYED BY KUDZAI MAKUSHA
TOWANDA PLAYED BY BUHLEBENKOSI NDLOVU
Supporting characters are key to this film, representing larger social dynamics. Nandi is the first born daughter and is Mbali's sister.
She is her sister's keeper, friend and protector. Sbuda represents Johannesburg’s hustling spirit. He is a charming sunglasss vendor who can sell anything. Chioma and Towanda, who are friends and employees of Ruby.
Their dynamic is complicated because she is their boss and while they know that her braiding skills are not the best, they do not fault her because she is a great businesswoman, boss, friend and older sister. Mbali’s mother is a catalyst for the hair appointment as she is celebrating a milestone birthday. A loving mother, who takes alot of pride in her appearance and is a product of beauty standards.
I THINK I
SHOULD
MBALI MASHABA
