Duma (2005 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Duma |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Carroll Ballard |
| Produced by | Stacy Cohen E.K. Gaylord II Kristin Harms Hunt Lowry John Wells |
| Written by | Karen Janszen Mark St. Germain Carol Flint |
| Story by | Carol Flint Karen Janszen Carol Cawthra Hopcraft Xan Hopcraft |
| Narrated by | Alexander Michaletos |
| Starring | Alexander Michaletos Eamonn Walker Campbell Scott Hope Davis |
| Music by | George Acogny John Debney |
| Cinematography | Werner Maritz |
| Editing by | T.M. Christopher |
| Studio | Gaylord Films John Wells Productions |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date(s) | April 22, 2005 |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12 million |
| Money made | $994,790 (worldwide) |
Duma is an exciting adventure movie from 2005. It tells the story of a special friendship between a young boy in South Africa named Xan and an orphaned cheetah cub. The film is based on a true story from the book How It Was with Dooms by Carol Cawthra Hopcraft and Xan Hopcraft.
The movie was directed by Carroll Ballard. It stars Alexander Michaletos as Xan, along with Eamonn Walker, Campbell Scott, and Hope Davis. Duma was released in theaters on April 22, 2005. Even though it didn't play in many theaters, critics generally liked it a lot. The film won an award called the Family Feature Film at the Genesis Awards in 2006. This award celebrates films that promote animal welfare.
Contents
The Story of Duma
The movie begins in the beautiful country of South Africa. A baby cheetah cub is left alone after its mother is sadly killed by lions. A kind young boy named Xan (Alexander Michaeletos) and his father, Peter (Campbell Scott), find the cub by the road. At first, Peter isn't sure about taking in a wild animal. But he agrees to let Xan care for the cub.
Duma Joins the Family
They name the cub "Duma," which means "cheetah" in the Swahili language. Over the years, Duma grows up with Xan and becomes a part of their family. As Duma gets bigger, Peter and Xan teach him how to run. They do this by having Duma chase Peter's motorcycle. Duma is so fast that the motorcycle can barely keep up!
A Difficult Goodbye
When Duma is almost fully grown, Xan's father tells him it's time for Duma to go back to his natural home. He explains that Duma needs to live in the wild to be truly happy and alive. Xan is very sad, but he understands.
Their plans change suddenly when Xan's father becomes very ill and dies. Xan and his mother (Hope Davis) have to move to the big city of Johannesburg. Duma comes with them, but city life is hard for a wild cheetah. Xan's aunt is scared of Duma, and Duma causes trouble when he escapes and visits Xan's school. To keep Duma from being captured, Xan decides they must leave the city.
An Epic Journey Begins
Xan remembers his father's plan to take Duma home. He decides to complete the journey himself. Their goal is to reach Botswana, crossing the hot Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, going through the Okavango Delta, and finally reaching the Erongo Mountains.
Xan starts their journey on his father's old motorcycle, with Duma riding in the sidecar. They soon run out of fuel and water in the vast grasslands. They find some shade under a crashed airplane. There, they meet Ripkuna (Eamonn Walker), a mysterious traveler. Xan isn't sure if he can trust Rip, but he agrees to let him join them.
Overcoming Challenges
Xan is clever and turns the broken motorcycle into a desert sailboat. He uses a parachute from the plane wreck to make a sail. The trio travels across the desert until they reach thick, thorny scrub brush. They have to leave the motorcycle behind.
While looking for shelter, Rip gets trapped in an old diamond mine after a cave-in. Xan thinks Rip might be trying to trick him and sell Duma for a reward. So, Xan decides to leave him. However, when Duma gets caught in a trap and Xan is knocked out by a wild boar, Rip comes to their rescue. He escaped the mine through a secret tunnel.
Reaching Duma's Home
Soon, they reach the amazing Okavango Delta. Here, Xan faces dangers from wild animals and strong river currents. But he knows he can't turn back. Xan, Rip, and Duma push through the Okavango and finally see the Erongo Mountains, near the border of Botswana and Namibia.
Once they arrive, Xan is attacked by many tsetse flies. To protect Xan from their dangerous bites, Rip covers him. Rip gets bitten by hundreds of flies and soon becomes very sick with sleeping sickness. Xan takes Rip to a nearby village where he can be cared for. It turns out the people helping Rip are his own family!
Later that night, Duma calls out into the mountains. Another cheetah calls back, and they quickly become friends. Xan realizes this is where he and Duma must say goodbye. Xan gives Duma a final hug, and Duma returns to play with his new friend. Xan then goes back to Rip in the village. At the end of the movie, Xan is reunited with his mother.
Cast
- Alexander Michaeletos as Xan
- Anthony, Azaro, Nikita, Sasha and Savannah as Duma
- Eamonn Walker as Ripkuna
- Campbell Scott as Peter
- Hope Davis as Kristin
- Mary Makhatho as Thandi
- Nthabiseng Kenoshi as Lucille
- Jennifer Steyn as Aunt Gwen
- Nicky Rebelo as Coach Nagy
- Garth Renecle as Hock Bender
- André Stolz as Xan's Teacher
- Charlotte Savage as Poetry Student
- Ronald Shange as Policeman
- Nadia Kretschmer as Tourist #1
- John Whiteley as Tourist #2
- Clive Scott as Tourist #3 (Eager Man)
- Catriona Andrew as Tourist #4 (Beautiful Woman)
- Errol Ballentine as White Haired Doctor
- Michele Levin as Doctor's Wife
- Sam Ngakane as Old Man in Village
- Adelaide Shabalala as Medicine Woman, Suliwa
- Thokozani Ndaba as Rip's Wife, Melika
- Wright Ngubeni as Rip's Son
- Bernard Msimang as Rip's Father
- Ivy Nkutha as Rip's Mother
- Sheba as Young Duma
See also
In Spanish: Duma (película) para niños
