Apartheid, a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race, was a prominent feature of South African society from 1948 until the early 1990s. Films about apartheid often explore the intense racial tensions, the struggles of the oppressed majority, and the eventual road to liberation and reconciliation. These films can be powerful educational tools and can provide deep insight into the human experience under apartheid, profiling key figures, common people, and the collective fight against injustice.
“Cry Freedom”, 1987
Director: Richard Attenborough
Directed by Richard Attenborough, this film tells the story of South African journalist Donald Woods, who is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the black activist Steve Biko.
Starring: Kevin Kline, Denzel Washington, Penelope Wilton, Kate Hardie, Kevin McNally, Josette Simon, Juanita Waterman, Andrew Whaley, James Aubrey, John Thaw;
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
“A Dry White Season”, 1989
Director: Euzhan Palcy
Based on the novel by André Brink, the film follows a white South African schoolteacher, played by Donald Sutherland, who becomes aware of the realities of apartheid after the son of his black gardener is killed by police.
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Janet Suzman, Zakes Mokae, Jürgen Prochnow, Susan Sarandon, Marlon Brando, Winston Ntshona, Thoko Ntshinga, Leonard Maguire, Gerard Thoolen;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “A Dry White Season” on the website imdb.com
“Sarafina!”, 1992
Director: Darrell Roodt
A musical drama film which stars Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, and Miriam Makeba. It centers on students involved in the Soweto Riots, in opposition to apartheid.
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
“Cry, the Beloved Country”, 1995
Director: Darrell Roodt
Based on the novel by Alan Paton, this film is set in South Africa during the early era of apartheid and revolves around a rural Zulu pastor and his son.
Starring: James Earl Jones, Richard Harris, Vusi Kunene, Charles S. Dutton, Tsholofelo Wechoemang, Dolly Rathebe, Ramolao Makhene, Jack Robinson, Jennifer Steyn, Patrick Ndlovu;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”, 2013
Director: Justin Chadwick
Starring Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela, the film chronicles Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Starring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Simo Mogwaza, Fana Mokoena, Thapelo Mokoena, Jamie Bartlett, Deon Lotz;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 141 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” on the website imdb.com
“Invictus”, 2009
Director: Clint Eastwood
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film focuses on the events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, hosted in the country following the dismantling of apartheid. Morgan Freeman portrays Nelson Mandela, who embraces the event as a chance to unite the apartheid-torn land.
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt Stern, Julian Lewis Jones, Adjoa Andoh, Marguerite Wheatley, Leleti Khumalo, Patrick Lyster;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: history, sport, drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Invictus” on the website imdb.com
“Catch a Fire”, 2006
Director: Phillip Noyce
Directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Derek Luke and Tim Robbins, this film is based on the true story of Patrick Chamusso, a South African oil refinery worker who gets wrongly accused and becomes a fighter against apartheid.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Mbuli, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tumisho Masha, Sithembiso Khumalo, Terry Pheto, Michele Burgers, Mpho Lovinga, Mxo;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Catch a Fire” on the website imdb.com
“Goodbye Bafana”, 2007
Director: Bille August
The film tells the true story of James Gregory, the white South African warder responsible for Nelson Mandela's imprisonment, who undergoes a profound change of heart through their interaction.
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Diane Kruger, Patrick Lyster, Shiloh Henderson, Tyrone Keogh, Megan Smith, Jessica Manuel, Faith Ndukwana, Terry Pheto;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Mapantsula”, 1988
Director: Oliver Schmitz
Directed by Oliver Schmitz, it is a South African crime film that tells the story of a small-time gangster who gets caught up in the anti-apartheid movement.
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: 6,8;
More information about the film “Mapantsula” on the website imdb.com
“Skin”, 2018
Director: Guy Nattiv
This film is based on the true story of Sandra Laing, a South African woman born to white parents who was classified as Coloured by the South African government during the apartheid era because of her skin color.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald, Daniel Henshall, Bill Camp, Louisa Krause, Zoe Colletti, Kylie Rogers, Colbi Gannett, Mike Colter, Vera Farmiga;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, melodrama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
In conclusion, films about apartheid serve not only as powerful historical snapshots of a dark chapter in human history but also as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic oppression. Whether through the stirring biopic of Nelson Mandela in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” the hard-hitting drama of “Cry Freedom,” or the palpable tension in “A Dry White Season,” these cinematic works artfully combine storytelling with activism. They educate audiences, provoke thought, and stir emotions, ensuring that the lessons of apartheid's cruelty and the stories of those who fought against it are neither forgotten nor repeated. As pieces of visual history and as catalysts for social reflection, these films about apartheid will undoubtedly continue to resonate with viewers, reminding us of the power of cinema to confront uncomfortable truths and inspire change.
