Review of Cry Freedom (1987) by Glenn C — 14 Jun 2012

Richard Attenborough's Cry Freedom is packs a wallop. This true story of two men during South Africa's Apartheid is based on two memoir books by newspaper editor/journalist Donald Woods. His is played by Kevin Klein who stars alongside Denzel Washington as Steve Biko, a banned anti-apartheid activist.

The film is bold and revelational in telling it's important story at a time when apartheid was still in full enforcement. When he begins showing support for Biko and his activism on the front page of his newspaper, Woods finds himself also a banned citizen.

With increasing threats mounting, including violence against his family, Woods devises an elaborate plan to evade his house arrest and escape the country. The film is effectively divided into two portions.

The first half is a heartbreaking account of oppression inflicted on the black population. Full of symbolism and realistic emotion, it evokes shame... shame for what humans are capable of. The second half of the film follows Wood's escape to Lesotho.

Talk about tension... the movie packs such a punch and takes its time to tell it's story. Attenborough treats the subject with the upmost respect, much like he did with Ghandi. Apartheid is a history taught less and less as the years go by and in many ways that is progress.

.. however films like this should be revisited as a reminder. The ghosts of the past still speak to the world.... it's a shame we don't listen.