Spud is a 2010 South African comedy-drama film written and directed by Donovan Marsh, based on the novel of the same name by John van de Ruit. The film stars Troye Sivan as the title character, alongside John Cleese, Jason Cope and Tanit Phoenix. It was released in South Africa on 3 December 2010.
Plot
In 1990s South Africa, fourteen-year-old John Milton (Troye Sivan) spends his first year at an elite boarding school for boys.
When John arrives for the first time at the school, he gets nicknamed "Spud" by the other boys because he has yet to experience puberty. All eight boys in his dormitory get nicknames. They are also called the "Crazy Eight". Spud finds it difficult to make friends and fit in. He befriends Mr Edly, a teacher nicknamed "The Guv", after he is the only one in the English class to pass an exam. The Guv frequently lends English literature books to Spud and invites him to lunch regularly. But Spud soon realises that Edly has marital problems, and is an alcoholic.
While back at home for the holidays, Spud falls in love with Debbie, the daughter of one of his mother's friends, whom he nicknames "The Mermaid." When Spud returns to the school, he sees a flyer for the school play Oliver Twist. Spud decides to audition so he can fit in. He ends up landing the lead role of Oliver. During practice, Spud meets Amanda, a girl from the nearby school St. Catherine's, and immediately falls for her. But he soon realises that she has a boyfriend already, and he cannot form a relationship with her without cheating on Debbie, whom he still loves. He seeks the advice of his roommate Gecko, who tells Spud to pretend he loves another girl named Christine, in order to make Amanda jealous.
Spud and Gecko begin to build a strong friendship and they occasionally visit a rock at the top of the hill near the school. In the fourth term, Gecko is diagnosed with cerebral malaria that he got during his holiday to Mozambique. A few days later, he passes away. Spud mourns the death of Gecko and the whole school attends his funeral service in the school's chapel.
Spud performs in the school's play and gets a standing ovation. After the performance, he is dragged away from the post-performance celebration by Amanda, and they go to a nearby field. There, she tells him to kiss her. Spud stops at the last moment and rejects her, deciding to stay true to Debbie. He offers to give Debbie a tour of the school, and kisses her in the middle of the quadrangle, which his dorm-mates witness from their window. After he returns, he is praised by the group, and finally fits in. On the final day of the year, Spud is sitting on the same rock he and Gecko used to frequent overlooking the school, and remarks that "God gives us choices. But sometimes, God gives us no choice. He deals us the cards, and we play them."
Cast
Troye Sivan as John "Spud" Milton
John Cleese as Mr "The Guv" Edly, an alcoholic English teacher
Tanit Phoenix as Mrs. "Eve" Wilson
Jeremy Crutchley as Mr Glockenshpeel ("The Glock") Jamie Royal as Henry "Gecko" Barker Sven Ruygrok as Robert 'Rambo' Black Josh Goddard as Charlie 'Mad Dog' Hooper Thomas Burne as Vern "Rain Man" Blackadder Byron Langley as Simon Brown Travis Hornsby as Alan "Boggo" Greenstein Blessing Xaba as Sidney "Fatty" Sibeko-Scott Aaron McIlroy as Mr Milton, Spud's father Julie Summers as Ms Milton, Spud's mother Genna Blair as Debbie "The Mermaid" Jason Cope as Mr "Sparerib" Wilson, Eve's husband Charlbi Dean Kriek as Amanda Alex McGregor as Christine Graham Weir as Mr 'Viking' Richardson Siobhan Hodgson as Mrs Roberts Ryan Mayne as Julian James Murray as Bert Darren Frances as Pike Ricky Cruz as Devries Sylvaine Strike as San Sister Lehasa Moloi as P.J. Luthuli, head boy of Michaelhouse Brenda Ngxoli as Innocence, the Miltons' house maid Terry Norton as The Guv's wife Christine le Brocq as Mrs "Wombat" Milton, Spud's grandmother Ben Voss as Mr. Lily Patrick Kenny as Reverend Bishop Shaeleen Tobin as Marge, The Mermaid's mother Liam Magner as "Hairy Gavin" John van de Ruit as Mr Lennox Laura Santoni as the Librarian Harry Wilcox as Student C
Production
Development
The film is entirely privately financed by South African investors, giving the filmmakers full creative control.