Films about Africa in the 1990s
The 1990s was a significant decade for African cinema, witnessing the emergence of talented filmmakers who sought to tell the stories of the continent through their lens. These films capture the challenges, struggles, and triumphs of African societies during this period. Here are some notable films about Africa in the 1990s:
“Cry Freedom”, 1987
Director: Richard Attenborough
Directed by Richard Attenborough, this film tells the true story of South African journalist Donald Woods as he investigates the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. It explores the themes of racial inequality and political oppression.
Starring: Kevin Kline, Denzel Washington, Penelope Wilton, Kate Hardie, Kevin McNally, Josette Simon, Juanita Waterman, Andrew Whaley, James Aubrey, John Thaw, Wabei Siyolwe, John Matshikiza, Evelyn Sithole, Xoliswa Sithole, James Coine, Albert Ndinda, Shelley Borkum, Graeme Taylor, Adam Stuart Walker, Hamish Stuart Walker, Spring Stuart Walker, Sophie Mgcina, Jim Findley, Patricia Gumede, Angela Gavaza, Nocebo Mlambo, Walter Matemavi, Clement Muchachi, Ruth Chinamando, Basil Chidyamathamba, Marcy Mushore, Alton Kumalo, Lawrence Simbarashe, Timothy West, Carl Chase, William Morgan Sheppard, Tichatonga Mazhindu, Zakes Mokae, Miles Anderson, Neil McPherson, Hepburn Graham, Claude Maredza, Carlton Chance, Glen Murphy, Russell Grant, Munyaradzi Kanaventi, George Lovell, Andrew McCulloch, Graham Fletcher-Cook, Karen Drury;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 151 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Cry Freedom” on the website imdb.com
“Sarafina!”, 1992
Director: Darrell Roodt
Directed by Darrell Roodt, this musical drama is set in Soweto, South Africa, during the 1976 Soweto uprising against apartheid. It follows the story of a young girl named Sarafina, played by Leleti Khumalo, who becomes involved in the protests.
Starring: Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, Miriam Makeba, John Kani, Dumisani Dlamini, Mbongeni Ngema, Sipho Kunene, Tertius Meintjes, Robert Whitehead, Somizi Mhlongo, Nhlanhla Ngema, Faca Khulu, Wendy Mseleku, Mary Twala, James Mthoba, Greg Latter, Gideon De Wet, Nicky Rebelo, James Whyle, Bheki Mqadi, Michelle Bestbier, Patrick Ndlovu, David Manqele, Sibusiso Ngema, Zanele Sangweni, Ayanda Nhlangothi, Bafana Hendricks, Pheto Wildeman, Xolani Dlamini, Siya Ngcobo, Louis Seboko, Sam Ngakane, Doris Sehula, Dominic Skosana, Ishmael Boikanyo, Siphamandla Ngcamu, Mfana «Jones» Hlope, Congo Radebe, Thufani Didi, Vincent Ngobese, Vukani Dlamini, Gugwana Dlamini, Dipou Lehlongwa, Khuluiwe Sithole, Batho Mhlongo, Billy Mashigo, Dixon Malele, Eric Seema, Velaphi Msini, Mate Bashe, Princess Msala, Sbongile Dingatha, Olga Mvicane, Sindi Dlathu, Mabusi Gumede, Khanyo Maphumulo, Mmabatho Ramoupi, Sonto Khumalo, Nonhlanhla Sithole, Seipati Sothoane, Sindisiwe Sokhela, Velile Mchunu, Brian «Jazz» Mazibuko, Thapi «Joko» Khambule, Gugu Mkhize, Lerato Wildeman, Nokuzola Dhlathu, Futhi Mhlongo, Rayhana Myles, Sibonakaliso Sothoane, Zanele Radebe, Alfred Ndlovu, Cyprian Shandu, John Lata, Mazwe Shabalala, Phakiso Motloung, Sduduzo Mthethwa, Thulani Mofokeng, Mabonga Khumalo, Nkosana Mzolo, Sduduzo Mbili, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Sindane Mbatha, Stephen Evans, Dieketseng Mnisi;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: musical, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Sarafina!” on the website imdb.com
“Hotel Rwanda”, 2004
Director: Terry George
Although released in the 2000s, this film is set in the 1990s during the Rwandan genocide. Directed by Terry George, it stars Don Cheadle as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who risks his life to save refugees during the conflict.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Cara Seymour, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno, Fana Mokoena, David O'Hara, Tony Kgoroge, Desmond Dube, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Leleti Khumalo, Antonio David Lyons, Mosa Kaiser, Mduduzi Mabaso, Xolani Mali, Rosie Motene, Neil McCarthy, Mabutho «Kid» Sithole, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Lebo Mashile, Kgomotso Seitshohlo, Lerato Mokgotho, Mathabo Pieterson, Ofentse Modiselle, Lennox Mathabathe, Mothusi Magano, Noxolo Maqashalala, Thulani Nyembe, Simo Mogwaza, Mirriam Ngomani, Harriet Lenabe, Roberto Citran, Sonni Chidiebere, Thomas Kariuki, Sibusiso Mhlongo, Ashleigh Tobias, Eugene Khumbanyiwa;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Hotel Rwanda” on the website imdb.com
“Black and White in Color”, 2006
Director: Bryn Pryor
Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, this war satire is set during World War I in an African colony. The film explores the absurdity of colonialism and the clash of cultures.
Starring: Ace, Bishop, Sydnee Capri, Jazmine Cashmere, James Deen, Jada Fire, Sledge Hammer, DeShaun Hayes, Tyler Knight, J.R. Langdon, Kitty Langdon, Trina Michaels, Julie Night, Georgia Peach, Will Powers, Shi Reeves, Hailey Scott;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: adult;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Gods Must Be Crazy”, 1980
Director: Jamie Uys
Directed by Jamie Uys, this South African comedy follows the journey of a Bushman named Xi as he encounters modern civilization for the first time. It humorously explores the clash between traditional African values and Western influences.
Starring: N!xau, Sandra Prinsloo, Marius Weyers, Louw Verwey, Michael Thys, Nic De Jager, Fanyana H. Sidumo, Joe Seakatsie, Brian O'Shaughnessy, Ken Gampu, Paddy O'Byrne, Graham Armitage, Vera Blacker, Pip Freedman, Katinka Heyns, Janet Wells;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: comedy, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Gods Must Be Crazy” on the website imdb.com
“Mapantsula”, 1988
Director: Oliver Schmitz
Directed by Oliver Schmitz, this South African film delves into the life of a small-time gangster named Panic who becomes politically aware after being arrested during apartheid. It offers a gritty portrayal of township life.
Starring: Thomas Mogotlane, Marcel Van Heerden, Thembi Mtshali, Dolly Rathebe, Peter Se-Puma, Darlington Michaels, Eugene Majola, Gabriel Dichwabe, Brad Morris, Polite Dlamini, Duma Nyembe, Jerry Mokgoko, Similo Makhambi, Boitumelo Dijoe, Arthur Molepo, Michael Copley, Louis Seboko, Nana Motijoane, Mesh Mapetla, Simon Sabela, Margaret Williams, Sibongile Yende, Vanessa Cooke, Chris Steyn, Rueben Senna, Danny Kgolwane, Beauty Kela, Nomsa Xaba, Heather Cross, Doris Sehula, Vusi Dibakwane, Magic Hlatshwayo, Chico Mokoena, Judith Ngwenda, Grissel Mboni, Juliet Mazamisa, Steven Moloi, Fakazi Msomi, Solomon Motaung, Mary Twala, Danny Moitse, Nothemba Mabija, Lehlohnolo Shale, Charles Moeti, Thys Du Plooy, Kelvin Mokgoka, Moffat Tshabalala, Steven Nbcokana, Lillian Dube, Petros Majola, Glen Radebe, Zoliswa Mkentane;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: drama, crime;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Mapantsula” on the website imdb.com
“Yeelen”, 1987
Director: Souleymane Cissé
Directed by Souleymane Cissé, this Malian film tells the story of a young boy named Niankoro who embarks on a spiritual journey to fulfill his destiny as a warrior. It incorporates elements of mythology and explores the clash between tradition and modernity in Africa.
Starring: Issiaka Kane, Aoua Sangare, Niamanto Sanogo, Balla Moussa Keita, Soumba Traore, Ismaila Sarr, Koke Sangare, Youssouf Tenin Cissé, Sidi Diallo, Bremira Dumbla, Seyba M'Baye, Djemori Traoré, Youssouf Coulibaly, Sibiri Kone, Toumani Soumaoro, Dounanke Traoré, Zan Doumbla, Manzon Coumare, Souleymane Coumare, Tienon Fone, Sekou Konote, Nadje Doumbla;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Yeelen” on the website imdb.com
“Tsotsi”, 2005
Director: Gavin Hood
Although released in 2005, this South African film is set in the 1990s and follows the story of a young Johannesburg gang leader named Tsotsi. Directed by Gavin Hood, it explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human capacity for change.
Starring: Presley Chweneyagae, Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Mothusi Magano, Zenzo Ngqobe, Zola, Rapulana Seiphemo, Nambitha Mpumlwana, Nonthuthu Sibisi, Ntuthuko Sibisi, Jerry Mofokeng, Ian Roberts, Percy Matsemela, Thembi Nyandeni, Owen Sejake, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Sindi Khambule, Benny Moshe, Bheki Vilakazi, Craig Palm, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Sibusiso Mkize, Lindokuhle Tloubatla, Samuel Tsebe, Katlego Maribune, Tumi Sejake, Juwarriyah Nkopane, Lennox Mathabathe, Eduan Van Jaarsvelt, Brian Rolfe, Mbali Khumalo, Joyce Moshoeshoe, Moses Timati, Enoch Tsotetsi, Edward Oliphant, Capheus Manamela, Ishmael Songo, Marven Lekopotsa;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Tsotsi” on the website imdb.com
These films offer a diverse range of perspectives on Africa in the 1990s, shedding light on its history, culture, and social issues. Each film tells a unique story, showcasing the talent and creativity of African filmmakers during this period.
The 1990s marked a significant period for African cinema, showcasing a diverse array of narratives that challenged stereotypes and highlighted the continent's rich cultural tapestry. Films from this era, such as “Sarafina!” and “The Cry of Winnie Mandela,” not only addressed pressing social and political issues but also celebrated the resilience and vibrancy of African communities. Through powerful storytelling and innovative filmmaking, these works paved the way for future generations of filmmakers, inviting audiences worldwide to engage with Africa's complexities and triumphs. As we reflect on this decade, it becomes clear that the films of the 1990s were instrumental in reshaping perceptions of Africa, offering both a mirror and a window into the lives of its people.
