With Troubled Child, South African filmmaker Ma-Afrika Setona announces herself as a bold new cinematic voice committed to telling stories that matter. Written and directed by Setona, the short film is a deeply personal and emotionally charged exploration of gender-based violence, resilience, and the courage it takes to break cycles of abuse.
Set against the striking landscapes of South Africa’s North West Province, Troubled Child follows fifteen-year-old Palesa, a young girl whose childhood has been overshadowed by fear. Living in a small township, she endures the daily reality of an abusive father whose alcoholism and neglect slowly unravel every aspect of her life. As the violence escalates and financial hardship forces her out of school, Palesa finds herself trapped between protecting the only family she has ever known and finding the strength to save herself.
Rather than portraying South Africa solely through the lens of hardship, Setona intentionally frames the country’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities, and rich cultural identity alongside the realities many young women continue to face. The film explores the devastating impact of gender-based violence while celebrating the resilience that exists within these communities.
Produced and filmed entirely in South Africa, Troubled Child also reflects Setona’s commitment to creating opportunities for emerging South African talent by employing and collaborating with young local creatives throughout the production. For Setona, filmmaking is not only about telling authentic African stories, it is about empowering the next generation of storytellers to tell their own.
Through intimate storytelling and striking visual language, Troubled Child invites audiences into a conversation that extends far beyond the screen. It is a film about the cost of silence, the power of community, and the quiet courage required to choose hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.
With Troubled Child, Ma-Afrika Setona continues her mission to create cinema that is both visually compelling and socially impactful—stories rooted in African experiences that resonate with audiences around the world.
