Review of Stander (2003) by Ana B — 23 May 2012

Based in true facts this movie follows the endeavours of Andre Stander, a South African Police Captain during the Apartheid years. Feeling disappointed at the injustice of the regime and tormented after having killed a young unarmed black activist during a riot in Soweto, Stander rebels in a curious way, he starts to rob banks. During a few months he is successful, refining his method and becoming a master of disguise. However he is finally caught and sent to prison. He manages to escape two years later taking with him two fellow inmates, Allan and Lee, that would become members of the notorious Stander gang. They would go on assaulting banks for a while until one of them got killed. We get to see also, Standerâ(TM)s personal relationships with his old fashioned father and his astonished wife.

It is not an easy movie to watch, the injustice of the Apartheid oozes through it though we mostly see the Afrikaans side. Sometimes we get a glimpse at the huge gap of lifestyles, the rich whites and the black underdogs. Half way through the film the injustice issue fades and it becomes the story of a manâ(TM)s self destruction.

I loved the strong accent accomplished by American actors and the cultural background provided giving us a taste of a country that we hardly see in films. A weird mix of biopic and caper but with a sorrowful end. A good effort with believable action scenes and an outstanding impersonation of the main character by Thomas Jane.