A Dry White Season (1989)

Ben du Toit is a schoolteacher who always has considered himself a man of caring and justice, at least on the individual level. When his gardener's son is brutally beaten up by the police ... See full summary »

Director:

Euzhan Palcy

Writers:

André P. Brink (novel) (as André Brink), Colin Welland (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Janet Suzman, Zakes Mokae

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Ben du Toit
Janet Suzman	...	Susan du Toit
Zakes Mokae	...	Stanley Makhaya
Jürgen Prochnow	...	Captain Stolz (as Jurgen Prochnow)
Susan Sarandon	...	Melanie Bruwer
Marlon Brando	...	Ian McKenzie
Winston Ntshona	...	Gordon Ngubene
Thoko Ntshinga	...	Emily Ngubene
Leonard Maguire	...	Bruwer
Gerard Thoolen	...	Colonel Viljoen
Susannah Harker	...	Suzette du Toit
Andrew Whaley	...	Chris
Rowen Elmes	...	Johan du Toit
Stella Dickin	...	Susan's Mother
David de Keyser	...	Susan's Father (as David De Keyser)

Storyline

Ben du Toit is a schoolteacher who always has considered himself a man of caring and justice, at least on the individual level. When his gardener's son is brutally beaten up by the police at a demonstration by black school children, he gradually begins to realize his own society is built on a pillar of injustice and exploitation.

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Plot Keywords:

gardener | police | murder | justice | death | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Assassinato Sob Custódia

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$3,766,879 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Davros Films, Star Partners II Ltd., Sundance Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Website Wikipedia states that "Director Euzhan Palcy was so passionate about creating an accurate portrayal on film that she traveled to Soweto undercover, posing as a recording artist, to research the riots. Actor [Marlon] Brando was so moved by Palcy's commitment to social change that he came out of a self-imposed retirement to play the role of the human rights lawyer; he also agreed to work for union scale ([US] $4,000), far below his usual fee. The salaries of [actor Donald] Sutherland and [actress Susan] Sarandon were also reduced and the film was budgeted at only [US] $9 million."

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Goofs

When Susan walks in on Ben and Stanley on Christmas day, she is carrying 2 suitcases and does not have her jacket draped on her shoulders. In the next scene, she is leaving the room with the jacket around her shoulders, is carrying only 1 suitcase and it is different than either of the ones she was carrying initially.

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Quotes

Ben du Toit: Did you ever actually see Gordon Ngubene?
Dr. Herzog: If I said I didn't, would it matter?

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Miley Cyrus/Sam Rockwell/Chef Danny Bowien (2015)

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Soundtracks

UMUSA
Written by Joseph Shabalala
Performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Produced by Danny Lawson for Night After Night Ltd.

User Reviews

Break thru cinema

Euzhan Palcy is a great director. She has broken many barriers for Black Female Filmmakers. Most of her work has been political with strong impact, as this film is. Never before have we seen such a story told through the eyes of a black woman and done so well that she received critical acclaim.

I have to disagree with Mr. Trevor Moses that this was an awful film. Also, Mr. Moses get your facts straight. The director of this film Ms. Palcy was not a racist hence the amazing cast. And one last thing these actors did this movie for almost nothing, including Robert Redford who did it for FREE, all because they saw her vision. FYI check out www.euzhanpalcy.com