Directed by:
Gavin HoodScreenplay:
Gavin HoodCinematography:
Buster ReynoldsComposer:
Neill SolomonCast:
Gavin Hood, Nigel Hawthorne, Janine Eser, Rapulana Seiphemo, Vanessa Cooke, Vusi Kunene, Akin Omotoso, Ian Roberts, Grant Swanby, Thoko Ntshinga, Keketso Semoko, Nomsa XabaPlots(1)
In this drama, a man dealing with the ghosts of his past defends a child whose cultural dictates differ with the law. Sean Raine (Gavin Hood) was born and raised in South Africa, but during his time as a soldier in that nation's army, he killed a young black man by mistake while fighting in Angola and has been plagued with guilt ever since. He left South Africa soon after; in time, he studied law and became a successful corporate attorney. While visiting South Africa for the first time in nine years, Sean and his wife Jennifer (Janine Eser) meet a herd boy named Sipho (Loyiso Gxwala) during a canoe trip. As they're returning to camp, Sean and Jennifer meet Sipho again, but this time he's in shock, standing motionless with a bloody axe in his hand as his mother carries the body of a baby with a fatal head injury. When questioned, Sipho asserts that what he killed was not a human infant but a tikoloshe, a creature cursed with evil spirits. Sean offers to defend Sipho, and as he stands before the court, he tries to explain to the judge (Nigel Hawthorne) and jury that Sipho was acting sincerely, in accordance with his faith, and therefore did not truly commit a crime. Actor Gavin Hood made his debut as a writer and director with this film, as well as playing the leading role. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Gavin Hood
South Africa
Best movies:
Eye in the Sky (2015)
Ender's Game (2013)
Human Timebomb (1995)
Nigel Hawthorne
UK
Best movies:
Gandhi (1982)
The Plague Dogs (1982)
Tarzan (1999)
Janine Eser
Best movies:
Merlin (1998) (TV movie)
Alice in Wonderland (1999) (TV movie)
Alien Hunter (2003)
Rapulana Seiphemo
South Africa
Best movies:
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema (2008)
Tsotsi (2005)
Layla Fourie (2013)
Vanessa Cooke
Best movies:
The Salvation (2014)
Catch a Fire (2006)
The Giver (2014)
Vusi Kunene
South Africa
Best movies:
Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)
The First Grader (2010)
The Bang Bang Club (2010)
Akin Omotoso
Niger
Best movies:
Lord of War (2005)
Shake Hands with the Devil (2007)
Blood Diamond (2006)
Ian Roberts
South Africa
Best movies:
Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)
The Power of One (1992)
Wah-Wah (2005)
Grant Swanby
South Africa
Best movies:
Blood Diamond (2006)
Invictus (2009)
City of Violence (2013)
Thoko Ntshinga
Best movies:
A Dry White Season (1989)
Act of Piracy (1990)
Dark Tide (2012)
Keketso Semoko
Best movies:
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (2008) (series)
Beat the Drum (2003)
Mr. Bones (2001)
Nomsa Xaba
Best movies:
Shaka Zulu (1986) (series)
The Last Samurai (1990)
Fluss des Lebens (2013) (series)