Richard Attenborough’s anti-apartheid biopic drama, Cry Freedom, was a follow-up to his Oscar-winning Gandhi, starring Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline.
Reading a news story depicting the demolition of slum in East London in the south-east of the Cape Province in South Africa, liberal white South African journalist Donald Woods (Kline) seeks more information about the incident and ventures off to meet the anti-Apartheid black activist Steve Biko (Washington), a leading member of the Black Consciousness Movement. Biko has been officially banned by the Government of South Africa and is not permitted to leave his defined ‘banning area’ at King William’s Town. Woods is opposed to Biko’s banning, but remains critical of his political views.
Biko invites Woods to visit black village to see the impoverished conditions and to witness the effect of the Government-imposed restrictions, which make up the apartheid system. Woods begins to agree with Biko’s desire for a South Africa where blacks have the same opportunities and freedoms as those enjoyed by the whites.
Predictably, as Woods comes to understand Biko’s point of view, a friendship slowly develops between them.
Denzel Washington gives a strong, Oscar-nominated performance as political activist Steve Biko, who was imprisoned and murdered after trying to raise opposition to the oppressive regime by attracting the attention of white South African editor Donald Woods (played by Kevin Kline).
Like other Hollywood’s films, the film is told from a narrow, white perspective, centering on Woods and his efforts to flee the country with his family.
Universal opened the movie in late November, in time for Oscar considerations, with an extensive Academy campaign, but the movie was a box-office failure.
Oscar Nominations: 3
Supporting Actor: Denzel Washington
Song: “Cry Freedom,” music and lyrics by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa
Original Score: George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Supporting Actor Oscar was Sean Connery for “The Untouchables.”
“Dirty Dancing” won the Best Song, and “The Last Emperor” the Best Score.
Credits:
Produced, directed by Richard Attenborough
Screenplay by John Briley, Based on Biko and Asking for Trouble by Donald Woods
Cinematography Ronnie Taylor
Edited by Lesley Walker
Music by George Fenton, Jonas Gwangwa
Production company: Marble Arch Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures (US)
Release dates: Nov 6, 1987 (US)
Running time: 157 minutes
Budget $29 million
Box office $15 million (rentals)