I have to admit that I felt some apprehension when I sat down to watch Duma; mainly on account of watching the pretentious and annoying 'Deux Freres' not so long ago. Thankfully, Duma isn't quite that bad, but neither is it terribly original either. On the film's plus side the characters are all quite amiable, and the scenery and camerawork add a lot to the film as well. However, the latter came across as a little misplaced and I wasn't sure if director Carroll Ballard was trying to make a film that would appeal to a young audience of children, or a film that would win some kind of competition for best cinematography in the wilderness. Still, the camerawork made up a little for what was lacking in terms of story. There were also a few minor but troublesome references; the main one being a tasteless suicide prank, the next being the use of some kind of witchcraft to heal Xan's drifter friend Ripkuna after he had been attacked by a swarm of insects, and there was also a conversation that inferred we (humans) just disappear into nothingness upon dying. These were minor points but children often pick up on the smaller details quicker than they do the larger ones. Overall, Duma may appeal to South African boys and/or animal/wildlife enthusiasts, but it isn't a film I can recommend widely.