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

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.