Cry Freedom

Cry Freedom is a 1987 British film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Denzel Washington as Steve Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist, and Kevin Kline as Donald Woods, a South African journalist and Biko's friend. The film is based on the books Biko by Donald Woods and Asking for Trouble by Donald Woods, which detail Woods' experiences with Biko and his subsequent flight from South Africa. The film features a strong supporting cast, including Penelope Wilton and Ian Richardson, and was shot on location in Zimbabwe and Kenya. The film's score was composed by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa, with Fenton also composing music for Attenborough's Gandhi.

● Plot

The film tells the story of the friendship between Steve Biko and Donald Woods, and the events that led to Biko's death in police custody. The film opens with Woods (played by Kevin Kline) as a conservative South African journalist who is assigned to interview Biko (played by Denzel Washington), the leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. As Woods gets to know Biko, he becomes increasingly sympathetic to the anti-apartheid cause and begins to speak out against the South African government. The film also features Winston Ntshona as Mapetla Mohapi, a South African activist who was also killed by the South African police, and John Matshikiza as Mapetla Mohapi's father. The film's plot is also influenced by the events of the Soweto uprising and the Sharpeville massacre.

● Production

The film was produced by Richard Attenborough and Universal Pictures, with a budget of $29 million. The film was shot on location in Zimbabwe and Kenya, with some scenes also filmed in London and Johannesburg. The film's cinematography was handled by Ronnie Taylor, who had previously worked with Attenborough on Gandhi. The film's editing was handled by Lesley Walker, who had previously worked on The Killing Fields. The film's score was composed by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa, with Fenton also composing music for Attenborough's Gandhi and Shadowlands. The film's cast also includes Zakes Mokae as Father Kani, a South African priest who helps Woods and his family escape from South Africa.

● Release

The film was released in 1987 and was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $15 million at the box office. The film was released in the United States by Universal Pictures and in the United Kingdom by Rank Film Distributors. The film was also released in Australia by Roadshow Entertainment and in Canada by Alliance Communications. The film's release was accompanied by a soundtrack album, which featured music by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa, as well as songs by Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. The film's release was also supported by a promotional campaign, which included television advertisements and print ads in The New York Times and The Guardian.

● Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the performances of Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline. The film holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The film was also praised by Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who gave the film 4 out of 4 stars. The film was also nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington. The film's reception was also influenced by the events of the Free Mandela campaign and the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

● Historical_context

The film is set in the 1970s, during the height of the apartheid era in South Africa. The film depicts the brutal treatment of black South Africans by the South African police and the South African government, including the use of torture and forced labor. The film also depicts the Soweto uprising and the Sharpeville massacre, two major events in the anti-apartheid movement. The film's historical context is also influenced by the events of the Cold War and the African independence movements. The film's portrayal of Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement is also influenced by the events of the American Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement.

● Impact

The film had a significant impact on the anti-apartheid movement, helping to raise awareness about the brutal treatment of black South Africans by the South African government. The film also helped to establish Denzel Washington as a major star, and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film's impact was also felt in South Africa, where it was banned by the South African government due to its depiction of the apartheid regime. The film's impact is also evident in the work of Nelson Mandela, who was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and later became the first black President of South Africa. The film's impact is also influenced by the events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the post-apartheid era in South Africa. The film's legacy continues to be felt today, with many regarding it as a classic of cinema and an important work of social commentary. The film's impact is also evident in the work of Desmond Tutu, who was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and later became the Archbishop of Cape Town.