Summaries

Police officer Dirk Hendricks files an amnesty application for Alex Mpondo, a member of the South African Parliament who can't remember the torture he once endured as a captive political activist. South African-born attorney Sarah Barcant, meanwhile, returns to her homeland to represent Mpondo, as well as Steve Sizela, Mpondo's friend who was arrested along with him and never heard from again.

The South African lawyer Sarah Barcant travels from New York back to her hometown to represent the member of the Parliament Alex Mpondo in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission since torturer police officer Dirk Hendricks has made an application for amnesty. The parents of Steve Sizela request Sarah to represent them also since their son that was arrested with Mpondo but has gone missing. Hendricks uses one break in the trial to threaten Mpondo, promising to destroy his political career telling that he was a traitor. But Mpondo, who is a man traumatized with the torture, anticipates and tells what has happened to Steve Sizela and him in the hands of Hendricks and his superior Piet Müller. Will the remains of Steve be found and the truth disclosed?—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Details

Keywords
  • south africa
  • friend
  • apartheid
  • directorial debut
  • truth commission
Genres
  • Drama
Release date May 5, 2005
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) R
Countries of origin United Kingdom South Africa
Language English Afrikaans Xhosa
Filming locations South Africa
Production companies British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Videovision Entertainment Distant Horizon

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 50m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio 2.39 : 1

Synopsis

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