A deeply human reflection on fathers and sons, masculinity, healing and what gets passed down through generations
Imran Hamdulay’s feature debut, The Heart Is A Muscle, is a moving exploration of intergenerational passing, the complexities of masculinity and the relationship between fathers and sons. Set within Cape Town’s layered history, the film was South Africa’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) 2026.
The Cape Flats, an area shaped by apartheid and systematic marginalisation, has been misrepresented in cinema. It is often reduced to a single narrative of crime and conflict. Hamdulay pushes against this stereotype. The history of violence is acknowledged but never dramatised. Instead, he reflects on fear, hope and defiance. The Cape Flats feels like more than just a setting, it becomes a character in itself. Fractured but resilient, carrying its complexities, dignity and fragile connections.
During a Johannesburg screening at The Bioscope Independent Cinema on March 11, Hamdulay was in attendance and explained how the story was inspired by a real-life incident. While at a barbecue, he saw a friend’s son briefly go missing. In that moment, Hamdulay witnessed fear and anger in his friend like never before. This sparked his curiosity and the film’s narrative, which begins with a young couple discovering their five-year-old son has disappeared. The story continues to follow Ryan, the young father, as he confronts his own brokenness, masculinity and the unspoken histories passed down through generations.
Shot entirely on location, it captures both Cape Town’s grittiness and colour. Hamdulay has explained that he tried to lead every part of the production with kindness. From the set, the shoot, the camera, to the performances. The cinematography reflects this, emphasising intimate, character-driven storytelling. Imagery such as the ocean creates feelings of isolation and unresolved emotions. Close-ups reveal personal histories through subtle traits. Instead of over-rehearsing, a lot of time was spent discussing the characters beforehand and how the actors themselves related to the story. Keenan Arrison, cast as Ryan, delivers a raw, lived-in performance, and the film’s emotion lies in the pauses, silences and gestures.
The film asks: What do we inherit from our fathers? And how can we become better versions of ourselves in difficult circumstances? Masculinity is usually discussed through power and control, but Hamdulay looks at the importance of softness and healing. What begins in feelings of apprehension transitions into a meditative reflection, heightened by a score that balances tension and vulnerability.
Although the film is set in South Africa, The Heart is a Muscle also speaks to an international audience. At its core, it is a reflection on belonging. It is not only about fathers and sons but about facing inherited pain and finding a path to forgiveness and change. Hamdulay has created a film that is intimate, layered and deeply human.
FEATURED IMAGE: The Heart Is A Muscle poster. Photo: Supplied/The Bioscope
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