Movies-TV

Cry Freedom

In World Studies class we have been studying South Africa, basically through the accounts of others and through out textbook. We finished the book Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, and began to watch Cry Freedom. All I knew when we started the movie was that it was about Steven Biko. The movie was honestly one of the best I've ever seen. It was well written, and the actors were great. It's really worth seeing if you were or are unaware of the system in South Africa. It's really a great movie, and I'd reccommend it to anyone.

Starts good then becomes average

Good South Africa aparteid drama that slowly deteriorates into an average movie as soon as Washington all but disappears from the movie in the second half.Good production values but could have had better screenplay.If one is into African historical dramas and into any of the lead actors,this one will work for you.Washington was incredible in this one and stole the whole movie......

What the Humanity should always remember!

This film should tell us again the long way we came and why we should give up forever the stupid issue of race.

It looks like South Africa

I suspect the details of the escape from South Africa were over-dramatized at some points. But my main point is simply this: having lived in South Africa for two years, I can confirm that the movie transmits a perfect impression of what the country feels and looks like. I don't mean the political situation under apartheid; I mean the streets, roads, landscapes, and how people interact with each other - a good example is the jokes between the delivery man from Lesotho and the South African border guards. The film was mostly shot in Zimbabwe, to maximum effect.

Cry Freedom

Whether it is historically incorrect or not the story of this movie was more than moving. Denzel Washington fits so well into
the characters shoes which is Stephen Biko. Biko was a black man, an ambitious,envious personality who opposed then south african government and became a I-don't-care anti-apartheid activist. Biko is more than lucky to have a friend, a white man who is conscious and empathic journalist, Donald Woods, and who stands behind all Biko's activities and by this Biko gained more popularity.Anyways it doesn't take long for the south african government to get rido of Biko forever and it is then when the white man D.Woods has to sacrifice his beautiful life in South Africa in order to reveal the truth to the world about Biko's murder.

A great movie by all means. Biko and Woods are two people that I'll never forget for their brave hearts.

Freedomania

Let it be admitted, it was the music by Van Gelis which prompted me to buy this DVD. I'm more than merely happy that it did. 'Tis a wonderful movie, but one which drew tears that mankind can be so deceitful and uncaring. A short time ago while doing voluntary work in Lincoln, UK., I found that I was linked with a fellow worker, whose home is in Ghana. She is now - at her request - my adoptive daughter and although home in Ghana, keeps in constant touch with me. We have learned to love each other, and, as I have told her, there is no "black and white" there is merely humanity.

Such an attitude is made clear in "Cry Freedom" as well as the understandable weakness that also exists and is displayed, initially, by the editor's wife, although later she makes a full recovery !

After watching the film, I looked up information concerning Donald Woods on the internet, and was saddened to learn he is no longer with us. The world is a poorer place --- as it is without the likes of Steve Biko, a wonderful man. God willing, this is the sort of film which will, in the future, make such things as vicious oppression and separation of the races an absolute impossibility. My parents were Irish, and I am fully aware of what oppression means. I am more than m,erely glad that I heard the music and felt impelled to see "Cry Freedom" - a wonderful film.

Mickeyfin.

A great and awakening movie

I keep watching this movie over and over and over. I have to watch it at least once a week. I am from Africa and looking at that movie taught me some things that I didn't even know about Africa. Denzel's movies are all full of lessons for people of walks of life. I wish he was my own brother. I have also seen and love your Masala Mississipi. What a thrilling situation. When Denzel was trying to hook his brother up on the job, reminds me of my teen ages when my brother was always mad with me about getting myself busy all the time. My brother was always caring for my old father and he wants to see me the same way too. By the way where did Denzel get that African accent from in the Cry Freedom movie? I have first seen that movie in Africa and I didn't know then that Denzel was American till I moved down here.

Tragic irony in view of the ANC's subsequent failure

It's sad to view this film now that we know how the ANC got shafted by international capitalism. Biko died for nothing much. Woods achieved little. Yes, outright apartheid was abolished, but all the apparatus of power was reserved by the minority whites, leaving the ANC government more or less impotent. As Naomi Klein writes in The Shock Doctrine, in the talks between the black and white leaderships "the deKlerk government had a twofold strategy. First drawing on the ascendant Washington Consensus that there was no only one way to run an economy, it portrayed key sectors of economic decision making --- such as trade policy and the central bank --- as "technical" or "adminsitrative". Then it used a wide range of new policy tools --- international trade agreements, innovations in constitutional law and structural adjustment programs --- to hand control of those power centres to supposedly impartial experts, economists and officials from the IMF, the World Bank, the GATT and the National Party --- anyone except the liberation fighters from the ANC." The statistical results are horrifying, with not much change accomplished, and AIDS flourishing. Viewing Cry Freedom in this light is deeply ironic --- actually tragic. The ANC has transformed itself from being the solution to being the primary problem.

The future is absent

A long film about a very important character from South Africa, Stephen Biko. He is one of these Blacks who did not survive apartheid, who actually died a long time before their normal time. The already old film though does not show how important Biko was, what he really represented. His life and his teaching is reduced to little, at best a few witty remarks. The film being from 1987, the objective was to push South Africa over the brink that would lead her to liberation. So the film aims at showing how irrational the South African supporters of apartheid are, in 1987. To show this the film has to look beyond Biko's death, hence to center its discourse not on Biko but on a white liberal journalist and his escaping the absurd system in which he is living. His escape is made necessary because of the victimization he is the victim of, along with his family, and because he wants to publish the first book on Biko, after his death, and that can only happen in England. The film shows a way to escape South Africa, while apartheid is still standing and killing. So do not expect this way to be realistic and true. It could not be. But the film has tremendously aged because it does not show South Africa with any historical distantiation, the very distantiation that has taken place under Nelson Mandela's presidency and that is called forgiveness provided those who want to be forgiven speak up and out. The film is strong and emotional but that very historical limit makes it rather weak today, especially since the film does not mention the third racial community, the Indians. Panegyric books or films all have that defect: they are looking at the person they are supposed to portrait from only one point of view. That explains why the film has aged so much, seems to be coming from so long ago, as if nothing had changed at all. A remake is necessary.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, CEGID

Brilliantly Delivered!

On of the greatest movies of today. It really packs a punch. It will really make you think twice or better about what is going on in the world today. A must have!

An outstanding film that hasn't been acknowledged as a masterpiece

It's a shame that this piece of work wasn't acknowledged as a piece of work. It has everything a historical film must have: a serious historical research, outstanding performances of every actor involved and a discrete but great direction.When I saw the movie I knew it should be a prototype for every biographical movie.

I cried! Recommend you rent this movie...

Cry Freedom was such a touching, unforgettable film. The acting was amazing, and they picked the perfect cast. I watched this at my school last year for the first time, and the first scene made me want to cry! Cry Freedom made me laugh, cry, confused, and made me just want to scream at those people who treated blacks cruelly! I recommend you rent this movie. 10/10

The best film I have seen in a LONG time.

When I first saw Cry Freedom it was as an assignment forced to us by by History teacher. I thought of it as a way to escape writing essays. But when I began watching, I became completely immersed in the movie. Denzel Washington portrayed Steve Biko with such accuracy, it gave me chills. I loved it and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to have a better opinion of apartheid and about Steve Biko's life and about Donald Woods. It was the greatest biographical movie I have EVER seen. It not only was interesting but it was a great source of learning. Even though I am 14, I enjoyed this movie very much.

Cry Freedom

I enjoy the story of Stephen Biko very much. I loved the movie about how his story got out.

High School Seniors' Comments

J.E. Gotowos (teacher of EFL, German, and drama):
I recently had the students of an English major senior high school class, that I am teaching, in Hamburg, Germany, watch Richard Attenborough's movie "Cry Freedom." Here are their first responses and reviews, which I asked them to come up with:

FIREWORK OF EMOTION
The movie is totally rousing and not boring for a minute, though we had a lot of backround-information about the cruel situation in South Africa.
We were emotionally touched by all the scenes.
The actors did a great job by putting the idea across and relievingly the character of Steven Biko brought up some laughs as well.
C.W. & S.A.-M. -----

STEVE BIKO'S SPIRIT, CAUGHT IN DENZEL WASHINGTON'S PRECISE ARTISTRY
Initially, there is to say that "Cry Freedom" changed our view on white people's participation in the general struggle against apartheid, but especially in the Biko issue of 1977. Though the white man's fate definitely drives out Biko's part in the story, we were nevertheless able to emphasize with the protagonists and their decision making processes maybe for a little too long (the film takes three hours and leaves you pretty unsettled and sad, if that's for good or bad...).
Above all, we adoringly look up to an exceptionally handsome and skilled Denzel Washington, who succeeded in posting a true story of hope, power and cruelty to the outside world. With this intention, "Cry Freedom" combines expressive pictures with beautiful music, opens your eyes for a true story and catches you for three hours with its sad and ongoing demand for equality .
Written by TILLI -----

REVIEW - CRY FREEDOM
The movie "Cry Freedom" is not only a biography of Steven Biko, the Freedom Fighter, but also about a whole nation struggle against Apartheid.
Before watching the movie we made sure we had enough backround information about Apartheid and Steven Biko. However, while watching the movie we were surprised how much more we were touched by it then we had been before by just reading it. The actors also did a great job in making the movie seem authentic. All in all, the movie made us conscious about how extreme the Apartheid regime was.
Heidi&Melanie

OUTSTANDING MOVIE, BUT A LITTLE TOO LONG
Producing an historic movie based on a true story is always challenging and very dangerous particulary when there are still people alive that experienced it. Meeting the audience's expectations is difficult in such a case; However, the movie Cry Freedom, based on Donald Woods book BIKO by Richard Attenborough, is a splendid historical movie. Firstly the performance is more than superb from both main and supporting actors. Furthermore the music aptly underlines the movie's emotional range from dramatic to inspiring. Moreover the the development of Wood's and Biko's friendship is very touching, going hand in hand with Wood's transition from a liberal to an activist, which is incredibly captivating as well.
The movie is probably even more strinking to someone without backround knowlege on the aparteid policies and crimes since Biko's death portraits latter vividly.
The length of the movie is the only thing to find fault with. We believe the movie could be more compressed because the movie lacks density in the end to the point that strength fades.
Although overall it is truly an outsanding movie!
Andre & Sina -----

SAD BUT TRUE
The movie really touched me. I know what was going on in the apartheid area before. I watched the movie, but it's different, if you see it through the characters eyes. You can identify yourself better with the person's life.
M.S. -----

After I watched that movie, I was shocked. It's different to know the history about South Africa then have it put in front of yourself. Steven Biko who was played by Denzel Washington did a excellent job. Also the interacting story between Biko and Woods was great. The film board put up a very good impression this time. Also,
the music was great, but the film was a little long.
J.M-B. -----

"CRY FREEDOM" MADE YOU THINK...
The film "Cry freedom" by Richard Attenborough was a success because the two main characters were played amazingly authentic.
Obviously Attenborough made a lot of researches for this reason the audience got an realistic impression of the circumstances during apartheid in South Africa. Moreover the life of Steven Biko was well presented and the audience got to know his strong, nonviolent pursuit of changing the Blacks consciousness.
In order to make the audience think about the subject, Attenborough showed the violence towards the Blacks in a way that you would almost want to look away or had to fight back your tears.
I.D. und L.K. -----

A MAGNIFICENT AND TOUCHING MOVIE
At the beginning of the movie I didn't know what to expect, but I was positive surprised. The movie made me very thoughtful and I got a really good impression, how it must of been during Apartheid. In my opinion Biko's live was very touching and frightening. I'm sure that he wasn't the only victim, who suffered that much from Apartheid.
Leonie -----

Close your eye's

....and let the rhythm take you to the heartbeat of Africa. This album has had such an impact, that after 10yrs, it still ignites a fire within. This is a must for anyone who feels the music and is not shy letting go, emotionally!

Superb Movie About Friendship and Fighting for freedom.

Very rarely does Denzil Washington make a bad movie and come to think of it that goes for Kevin Kline and in this case , this must count as one of their best films. It is more about of film about how strong friendship can more than the story of Steve Biko although we do get an insight into what the man was like and how far the reporter and friend Donald Woods went to preserve the mans name and let the world know what a corrupt , putrid society South Africa was. The Direction is outstanding from David Attenborough as it was for Gandhi although if there is any critisism to be aimed it could be at the length of the film. Two and a half hours is a long time to sit through a historic movie .What is amazing is how he manages to control all the extras. Thousands of people in both films. This film really does open your eyes to what happened before the break up of Aparthiet and you cannot fail to moved by it. 8 out of 10.

Cry Freedom commits an apartheid of its own

I always found it ironic that "Cry Freedom," while it's supposed to be about the inhumanity, ignorance and hate behind apartheid, it commits its own apartheid by making Steven Biko play second fiddle in what should be his story/film. Instead, as Hollywood filmmakers often do, it makes the minority character a bystander in what should be his/her own story, and pushes a white character into the lead. Like "Mississippi Burning," which basically shows us how two white characters singlehandedly kept the Civil Rights movement alive, "Cry Freedom" shows us how a white journalist battles apartheid. By far, Denzel Washington's portrayal of Biko is outstanding, the best performance here. He receives a four star, but the director and the film receive less than a one star for committing its own apartheid, pushing a minority to the back of the bus -- and unfortunately, Hollywood continues to do this -- just go see the implausibility that is "Last Samurai."

Cry Out...

Richard Attenborough is a director whose name is synonymous with the Academy Award winning 'Gandhi', back in '83. I didn't know of any other work of his till i recently came across 'Cry Freedom', released back in 1987. While it may not have been as popular as his Gandhi, it is every bit as gripping, if not more, and was released when South Africa still had not got rid of the shackles of apartheid. While most movies on social issues come out after the event had happened, i guess this one released during the time.The story is based on real life characters and events. The book on which the movie was based, was written by Donald Woods (Kevin Kline), a journalist who used to work in South Africa until the end of the seventies. It traces the origins of Woods friendship with the charismatic black leader Steve Biko, who is wonderfully portrayed by Denzel Washington. I cannot imagine a better choice for the role. Washington exudes a natural charm and screen presence, which Biko's character required.While initially, Woods was against what he felt was black racism being spread by Biko, after meeting the man, he could not help being drawn into his struggles and ideas. The bond between them grows stronger, and Woods and his family realise and become more sensitive to the plight of the people Biko represents.However, finally, tragedy strikes, and Woods must now concentrate on escaping from South Africa, with his book, so that he can get it published and let the outside world know what is going on. The second half of the movie is a gripping tale of his escape from South Africa, along with his family, and will keep you on tenterhooks.There are some deliciously humorous dialogues too. The scene between Biko and the lawyer in the courtroom is an example.Lawyer: Do you advocate violence? Biko: I advocate a confrontation. Lawyer: Well, isn't that violence, Mr. Biko? Biko: Not necessarily. You and I are having a confrontation now, but i don't see any violence.However, there are moments that bring you back to the horrors that pervaded the country before better sense prevailed. The scene where the army opens fire on a protest by school children is gut wrenching and heartbreaking.This is definitely a must watch. I would suggest those not familiar with Attenborough's work, do take time out for this. There are movies which make a lot of money. And there are movies which make lives. I would any day prefer the latter.

Cry Freedom

Lord Sir Richard Attenborough has always done biography films as far as I've seen, and this is a good example of one of them. It is the true story of a family, and a father, being terrorised by a war and needing to hide from some enemies. The father, Donald Woods (Acadmey Award winner Kevin Kline) is some kind of doctor or professor researching for methods of war, or something. He is therefore endangering his family because of the bad side finding out. He gets the help of many people to help him and his family get out of the country to the border without being caught. Also starring Denzel Washington a few times as Steve Biko. Kevin Kline is very good at the accent, and Attenborough has done quite a good film. Very good!