Riding with Sugar

Riding with Sugar, a poignant drama released in 2020, follows the harrowing yet inspiring journey of Joshua, a young boy grappling with the harsh realities of life in an informal settlement. Living with his father, a well-educated man fleeing the political turmoil of Zimbabwe, and his beloved grandmother, Joshua harbors dreams of escaping his circumstances through BMX cycling. The sport symbolizes hope and the possibility of a brighter future, offering him a chance to rise above the struggles of his everyday life, particularly the spaza shop his father runs as a means of survival. However, Joshua's aspirations are cruelly shattered when a brutal xenophobic attack claims the lives of his family, forcing him to confront not just the loss, but the violent world that surrounds him.

The film delves deeply into themes of resilience, identity, and the search for belonging, as Joshua grapples with his grief while navigating the turbulence of a society marked by division and prejudice. His journey is not only about personal healing but also about reclaiming his dreams against overwhelming odds. With a backdrop that starkly illustrates the challenges faced by immigrants, Riding with Sugar becomes a powerful narrative about the strength of the human spirit and the unyielding desire for a better life. The film sensitively portrays Joshua's evolution from a boy full of hope to a young man forced to rise from the ashes of tragedy, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in stories of perseverance and triumph in the face of adversity.