Review of Cry Freedom (1987) by Vegar O — 07 Jul 2007

The fact that Apartheid has ended does not rob this movie of any of its power. Even with the demise of colonialism, many of the problems highlighted still exist in different forms. Instead of Blacks vs Whites, now it's Hutus vs Tutsis,landed vs. nomadic, whatever.

Some have criticized this movie for focusing too much on the character of the white journalist, Douglas Wood, rather than the influential Biko. However, movies are made with full knowledge of their audience, and the central idea of the woods character, the realization that by tolerating the situation, he was complicit in it, is more important for the west to hear. Africa is broken, and if we who are capable of making a difference stand by and watch, we are as guilty as if we took part in the problems.