Cry Freedom

Cry Freedom

Cry Freedom is a frustrating movie! It's actually 2 movies, both of which deserve making, masquerading as one, with the unfortunate result that neither is told as well as it should have been. It's set in the years 1975-1977, when South Africa was still under white rule and the majority of "blacks" lived in terrible poverty.

At the time, blacks were classified according to their racial tribal grounds and if they wanted paid employment, most of which was doing menial jobs in the cities and white suburbs, they were forced to live in adjoining shanty towns, under strict controls and curfews, somewhat akin to martial law.

Cry Freedom Trailer

Story 1: then, is about Steve Biko (Denzel Washington), a charismatic South African "leader" (actually, more akin to a union leader) who was doing his best to raise black consciousness while still under house arrest &

Story 2: is about Donald Woods (Kevin Kline), the die-hard liberal newspaper editor who had originally panned Biko as a "black racist" and then, having met him, became his friend.

"...The book not only features the story told by Donald Woods but has extensive court interviews with Biko showing his true ideas that scared the racist government of South Africa so much that they had him killed..." Amazon reviewer Hampton

"...This is much more than a simple biography of Steve Biko, the leader of the Black Consciousness movement in South Africa...it is an insider's look and condemnation of the System...(using)...incredible detail and many essential sources to tell a lively, powerful, and important story..." Amazon reviewer Z. Blume

Theoretically, these two stories should intertwine effortlessly...but with Biko holding all the aces, Woods comes out looking like a bit of a dum-dum during the first half until Biko's death/murder in a police detention center.

Then, during the second half, when the film centers on Woods' flight from South Africa (after Woods has been placed under house arrest for printing photos of Biko's bloodied corpse), the cutting back to Biko in his prime undermines Woods' story.

Aw shucks, because Cry Freedom is an important film, conveying information about the world that many young people, including my own children, have absolutely no conception of.

This is our world's recent history. However, controversial as it might seem, in my eyes Apartheid, when viewed as Tribalism, was no worse than any of the despotic tribalism that seems to even presently masquerade as Southern African politics. The only reason that it's noteworthy is that it used a western democratic system to uphold that tyranny, whereas the rest of Southern Africa seems content to use a swinging club, a machete or just starving innocent people to death.    

As history Cry Freedom is incredibly important viewing but as a movie, it's only partially so. Kevin Kline is very good as Woods but a young Denzel Washington as Biko is less so.  I base this on having known a number of young black Africans of the era reasonably well and Washington never has the total belief that oozed from their every pore. Washington though black, is still too western, too stiff, too unlike their joyful music and tribal dancing sways, to pull it off.

Cry Freedon DVD

"...I had no idea that this film would be as good as it was. It was a little slow starting but builds gradually until you are on the edge of your seat! It's full of surprises and the events are based on real facts! A superb acting job by the two main actors and wonderful supporting roles too!..." Amazon reviewer Robert M. Bonnett

 "...I first saw this movie prior to Mandela being released from prison and before the fall of apartheid in South Africa. I knew a little about Steven Biko and the goings on in South Africa (but) what came as a total surprise to me after watching this movie is the fact that there were white people in South Africa who clearly saw the evil in the racist system. For the first time, I felt there was light at the end of the tunnel in apartheid South Africa...Amazon reviewer Henry Phiri

Director Attenborough, fresh from the triumphs of Gandhi, attempted another grand human story but this time he was less successful. However, I would urge you to watch Cry Freedom with your teenage kids if you have any. They need to know what happened and still happens in our world...and why. 

Cry Freedom soundtrack

"....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!..." Amazon reviewer shebashful

see also:

• wikipedia Cry Freedom movie
• wikipedia Steve Biko