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KHUMBA

By Anthony SILVERSTON

NATIONAL FILM & VIDEO FOUNDATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (NFVF) - as FIN

Children's - Completed 2009

On a daring search for his missing stripes, an outcast zebra discovers his true self, reveals a lost legacy and saves his entire herd.

- Year of production
- 2009
- Genres
- Children's, Animation
- Countries
- SOUTH AFRICA
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 3 - 5 M$
- Director(s)
- Anthony SILVERSTON
- Writer(s)
- Anthony SILVERSTON, Raffaela DELLE DONNE
- ISAN
- 0000-0003-D815-0000-2-0000-0000-V
- EIDR
- 10.5240/6C34-B276-10CD-2ABD-7406-0
- Producer(s)
- Mike BUCKLAND, Stuart FORREST
- Synopsis
- A half-striped zebra is born into an insular, isolated herd obsessed with stripes. Rumours that the strange foal is cursed spread and, before long, he is blamed for the drought that sets in.
  When even his father, the leader of the herd, blames him for the lack of rain and the subsequent death of his mother, the outcast zebra leaves the confines of his home knowing that he cannot survive in the herd without all his stripes.
  Khumba ventures beyond the fence - vulnerable to the ferocious Leopard, Phango, who controls the waterholes and terrorizes the animals in the Great Karoo. Khumba is rescued from an opportunistic Wild Dog by a quirky duo: a wildebeest and an ostrich. Mama V is a self-confessed free spirit who does not want to be the average stay-at-home mom, like other wildebeest. Ironically, she mothers Bradley, a flamboyant but insecure ostrich who overcompensates for his scraggily feathers. When a mystical mantis appears to the foal, drawing a map to what could be interpreted as either water or stripes, the duo join Khumba on his quest in the hope that their own search for a safe waterhole is over.
  On their journey, Khumba encounters a colourful range of characters including a migrating herd of Springbok in search of greener (and safer) pastures; a new age, bohemian community living safely within the confines of a luxurious national park; an endangered Riverine Rabbit who has survived extinction by mastering a myriad of skills ranging from impersonations to beat-boxing; a group of hysterical Dassies (rock-rabbits) who fanatically worship the Mighty Black Eagle and a loony, solitary Sheep living on an abandoned farm.
  Khumba begins to learn that diversity is essential for survival and that one’s difference can, in fact, be one's strength. Tensions between the trio escalate as the stakes are raised with each step of the journey. After a hurtful argument (and a few home-truths), Khumba continues on his quest alone. Lost and delirious in a saltpan, Khumba meets a wise, nomadic Donkey and realizes that his lack of stripes has nothing to do with the lack of rain. Instead, in order to save his herd - as well as all the Karoo animals - Khumba knows he must enter Phango's cave and defeat the dreaded leopard.
  Khumba’s father, who has become withdrawn after believing his son to be dead, is remorseful that he has been a bad leader and an even worse father. When he receives news that Khumba is alive and intends to face Phango, he leads the zebras out of the confines of the fence to find his son.
  Khumba is re-united with his two sidekicks who vow to stick by him no matter what. With the help of his friends and father, Khumba defeats the leopard. In the battle, Khumba discovers a spring in Phango's cave and he is hailed a hero.
- Partners & financing
- NFVF
  UKFC
  CMG
- Beginning of shooting
- May 01, 2009