Cry Freedom

The movie the cry for freedom is all about apartheid in South Africa. The main staring characters in the movie are Denzel Washington and Kelvin Cline. The movie is based on a true story. In this story, Denzel is one of the black leaders who are working to make things convenient for the blacks. On the other hand, Donald is an editor to the local newspaper. Biko teaches woods how to live the lives of the black people woods understands the way the black people are struggling to make ends meet. This movie is about the way the black people are trying to break away from the control of the white people (Biko, 1978). Woods publication about an attack by the police in Cape Town, which stirred mixed reactions from people all over the country. After talking about their opinions about the blacks and the whites, a clear friendship sparked between them. Biko goes to the extent of showing him about the black township and how the people living there are staying. In one of the incidences, the police enter to Biko’s house and treat him in a terribly unfair manner. Woods took the initiative of informing the head of the police.

On the positive side, the acting of Denzel Washington and Wood was a great. There was some chemistry between them, which made the movie interesting. However, on a negative point of view, Woods escape is so boring and therefore monotonous. In addition, the story is not really about Biko a black leader trying to bring changes. The second half of the film shows flashbacks of the crackdown of the innocent blacks, making the film to lose its momentum. The worst scene in the film that shows the real apartheid is the scene that shows a whole bunch of being gunned down for rebelling against the white forms of education. The film cry for freedom continues the message on the negative impacts of racial discrimination (Nixon, 1994).

The storyline of the movie the cry of freedom is on the friendship of one of the black people and the white person. It is about a black South Africa who was trying to fight the apartheid in South Africa. The opening of the film is in the black township of crossroads at dawn. There is little noise except the sound of crickets and soft South African music. The loud police vehicles and the sound of people running while screaming disturb the peace. Black and white video cameras capture this. This frightens the audience. There are remarkably few instances in the movie where Biko is not seen with woods. In most of the instances, they are together. There is little done to show the life in Biko’s world. On the contrary, in woods life his wife and children are in the picture through out the movie. There is a reason why cry for freedom is not about Biko, but it is about woods from the beginning to the end.

The apartheid deemed Biko as a banned person not allowed to speak to one person. He is not allowed to speak in public. He is not allowed to speak in public (Nixon, 1994). However, he continues to do this with the help of his underground friends and supporters. Having been filmed in Zimbabwe, half of the movie is a rift between suspense, frustration as Biko is sought by the white authorities, and his family is terrorised by the police minister. Biko's speech is honest. He focuses his efforts in every effort to remove the idea that one man is more superior to another. Biko did not advocate for violence. He did not like to fight back. Biko is arrested as he tries to make way through the roadblock son his way to go and deliver a speech in Cape Town. This is one of the jarring transitional times in the movie. He is next seen on a cell floor after the police tortured him to the point that the independent doctor is examining Biko and telling him to get medical attention. Attenborough is using effective sounds and camera angles to produce the best show. This gives the audience a sense of realism. For instance, when the boy sounds the alarm to warn the people against the police who were invading the township, it is a clear representation of how sound has been used effectively. He shows the people how the blacks have been chased and sexually harassed, so they have an idea of the brutality and recklessness of the white police.

All over the township, there are posters of Steve Biko. Attenborough does this to show the viewers how valuable Steve Biko (Davis, 1996). When this film returns to the back of the scene of destruction, bulldozers and fire destroy a number of people’s homes and their belongings. With this destruction, it left the people with nowhere to go. This scene gives the audience a sympathetic feeling. In addition, the principal scene existing in the movie is the meeting between Donald and Biko. This scene is essential for the movie as it is the time when Woods changed his thoughts about other black Africans (Daniel, 2008). This is because it reflects what it has been happening. The scene is set at night in the black township, when it is extremely noisy and dark. The crowds of people have to stand around the fire for warmth as within this town there are no electricity and water. Richard in this case uses this many techniques to show the viewers image of poverty and the filth that is in the black people. He also uses sounds and voices to express this kind of this misfortune. Cry for freedom is essentially a two films in one. The two men starring in the film are the men who railed against apartheid. This movie is the adaptation of their lives during which they share their personal experiences. It shows the racial policy and other governments that implement it and are forced to become more repressive (Daniel, 2008).

The performance of the character Denzel in the movie is outstanding. When he was given the chance to perform the movie, he did not feel the urge to overplay his character. He did not over emphasize both his personality and his character and the importance involved in his character. However, Washington does not do such a thing. Instead, his character as Biko is composed and rational. He remained positive minded through out the movie. In the scene at the courtroom, Biko engages the judges in a debate with the judge in favour for the apartheid. They engage in an argument about the colour of the skin of the whites and blacks. In these scenes, it underpins the importance of Biko as a speaker and a wordsmith, whom he portrays the character of Thomas Jefferson. The character of Woods is engaging in a credible way. In the first place, he supports apartheid. He supports the existing lines between racial discrimination and the cultural differences. This all changed after Woods meeting with Biko who supports the blacks. Biko played an extremely significant role in changing his mind. His liberal ideas were convincing. This made Woods an outcast in his own society for supporting the blacks. He was harassed beaten and confined in his own home. He became a victim of terrorism when his daughter was sent an acid washed shirt. In the movie, Woods generally convey a sense of confusion and disappointment from the people of his own race and tribe. During Biko’s funeral, it is cast by extra singing of black’s national anthem. Mr Washington is proficient in the courtroom scenes that provide his character with excellent film.

In addition, there are many poignant moments in the movie. There are several instances of sad and joyous moments and other few comical moments. There is a representation of both immoral system of government that oppresses the poor in the society. It shows how loyal men worked hard to show the inadequacies in the society and destroy it. When woods boards a small plane with his family safe at last when the principal journey ended. The author of the movie acts as the reminder of the final flashback in June. It led to the Soweto uprising which is a euphemism.

In conclusion, the movie cry for freedom is an excellent movie. It clearly brings out the oppression of blacks and other injustices that were depicted well. There is a clear line between blacks and whites. The movie is admirable for its sheer scale. Above all, the movie is appreciated for what it communicates about heroism, loyalty inherent in the lives of the people and leadership. The movie rings out clearly the horrors and the upheavals of apartheid, the martyrdom of a loyal man. Although these thoughts do not come through clearly, they can still be felt through out the movie. The characters chosen to act different parts are clear representation of the roles assigned. This movie is rated PG, and it includes some instances and scenes of violent episodes. The movie is directed and produced by Richard Attenbrough, and it is based on the book Biko asking for trouble. The movie brings out different roles of the different characters, which are a clear representation of apartheid in South Africa that led to the Soweto uprising movement. Although the movie contains different instances of riot scenes, which is inclusive of several weeks of fighting in Soweto, it is compressed into a day’s action of black riots and the police with the white police. The director of the film and the film writer did not just describe the events but rather transformed the events into real, dramatic ones. Though the character of Denzel is not developed fully in the movie, it is still clearly represented.