Finding Optel – Optel may be gone, but the humour certainly isn’t!

Review

24/10/2025

Finding Optel is the first feature film directed by brother-and-sister duo Jesse Brown and Michaela Joy Brown. Michaela not only wrote the screenplay but also stars in the lead role. The film debuted to high praise at the 2025 kykNET Silwerskermfees, and it’s easy to see why it captured so much attention.

The story follows 16-year-old Claire Abrahams, an amateur detective with a complicated family history and a tender heart. When the neighbourhood’s stray dog, Optel, disappears without a trace, Claire throws her entire heart and soul into finding him — despite her father’s strong objections and her own mixed feelings about the dog. For Claire, the search for lost things is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to make sense of her own loneliness and a journey toward healing. Her quest to find Optel ultimately brings her closer to peace with what she’s been struggling with for so long.

The film itself is lighthearted, filled with a rich array of comedic moments that keep viewers entertained. The story structure is simple but told with sincere emotion and natural dialogue. The main character, Claire (played by Brown), immediately wins the audience’s heart. She’s deeply relatable — especially through her distractibility and humorous quirks. Her dedication to finding people’s lost belongings reflects her deep empathy and respect for her community. The characters feel genuine and three-dimensional, brought to life by a talented cast that includes Oscar Petersen, Zenobia Kloppers, Rodney Goliath, Sherman Pharo, Maurice Carpede, and Omar Adams. Each one adds something special to the playful, colourful world the filmmakers have created.

Visually, Finding Optel is a feast. Tiffany Matthews’s production design is dynamic, colourful, and beautifully polished, while Ayesha Khatieb’s costume design complements the characters perfectly. Paul Guyeu’s cinematography is outstanding, with playful camera movements that balance the film’s humour and emotional themes. Madelé Vermaak’s editing gives the film a lively rhythm, ensuring that even the quieter scenes never feel dull. The sound design is subtle yet highly effective — not an easy feat in the comedy genre — while the music, though catchy and fitting, occasionally feels slightly overused.

The one element that slightly hinders the film is the voice-over narration. It feels somewhat flat and emotionally distant, creating a bit of separation between the viewers and the story — where it should have drawn them in instead.

Nevertheless, Finding Optel is a breath of fresh air in the South African film landscape. It offers a new, refreshing perspective on the lives of Coloured South Africans — far removed from the familiar Cape Flats gang stories we so often see on screen. It’s the perfect feel-good escape from the everyday.

Finding Optel will be available for streaming on Showmax from 24 October 2025.

Production Information

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Running Time

80 min

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Writer and Director

Mikayla Brown | Jesse Brown, Mikayla Brown

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Website

showmax.com

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Screens

∞

s

Age Restriction

10-12 PG V

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Cast

Mikayla Brown, Oscar Petersen, Zenobia Kloppers, Rodney Goliath, Maurice Carpede, Omar Adams

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Rating

4/5

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Box Office

See NFVF

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Written by Chanté Gorlt

Chanté Gorlt is a part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, where she specializes in technical and creative disciplines. With a deep passion for sound and music, she integrates her enthusiasm into her teaching, inspiring students to explore the dynamic intersection of technology and creativity. Her role reflects a commitment to fostering innovation and artistic expression within the academic community.

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