Review of A Dry White Season (1989) by Bruno L — 29 Feb 2012

A classic book by Andrà (C) Brink was delivered into the silver screen in 1989 with a stellar cast and a talented director. Euzhan Palcy keeps all the elements of the story tightly in her grasp as she brings Brinkâ(TM)s scenes alive. The dialog comes across as natural, the performances are spot on right.

Itâ(TM)s interesting to see this movie now, after knowing that the end of apartheid was just around the corner when it was made. Because âA Dry White Seasonâ? is first and foremost a passionate plea against racism and fear. This doesnâ(TM)t prevent it from being an ambitious piece of drama though; we get great cinematic art with scenes that are alive and characters who feel real.

The movie is also beautifully balanced. Instead of preaching, Palcy exposes the desperate fear of the ruling class and their absolute trust in racial segregation as the only means of keeping society peaceful and stable. A film like this reminds us that more often than not that which we fear exists mostly between our ears.