This uplifting documentary sweeps us along in the growing excitement at the one time in the year when Cape Town’s 86,000 textile workers are consumed by a joyous and innocent distraction: the annual 27th Spring Queen pageant. Concentrating on Rex Truform, Kennedy follows and delves into the contestant’s dreams and aspirations. Our excitement grows as each contender competes against her colleagues, learning to shimmy down the catwalk, lose her inhibitions, choose the all-important dress, and hold her own among scores of other contestants. First, in front of her home crowd, and then, before the whole industry.

Offset against the socio-economic reality of the workers’ lives, Cinderella of the Cape Flats is a kaleidoscope of fun and frivolity, masking a new economic reality in silk and sequins.

Volume 2 of Real Stories from a Free South Africa, a 5 video series developed and commissioned by SABC 1 and supported by South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation:

• Volume 1: Hot Wax
• Volume 2: Cinderella of the Cape Flats
• Volume 3: Belonging
• Volume 4: Umgidi
• Volume 5: Nabantwa Bam’