Windprints (1990)

A South African video journalist is sent to neighboring Namibia to do a story on a man who has been going around and killing black laborers. The killer, Nhadiep, has an almost mythical ... See full summary »

Director:

David Wicht

Writers:

Heinrich Dahms (additional writer), Johann Potgieter (additional writer),

Stars:

John Hurt, Sean Bean, Marius Weyers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Hurt	...	Charles Rutherford
Sean Bean	...	Anton van Heerden
Marius Weyers	...	Henning
Eric Nobbs	...	'Platvoet' Du Plessis
Lesley Fong	...	Nhadiep
Kurt Egelhof	...	Pieterse
Dana Niehaus	...	Helmut
Trudie Taljaard	...	Marie
Goliath Davids	...	Wilsnath
Johan Kreuger	...	Rootman (as Johan Kruger)
Sarel Bocks	...	Joey
Freda Kaptein	...	Marta
Jonathan Goliath	...	Gerrit
Lida Botha	...	Karen
Julia Burazin	...	Joanna

Storyline

A South African video journalist is sent to neighboring Namibia to do a story on a man who has been going around and killing black laborers. The killer, Nhadiep, has an almost mythical status to both the white farmers and the black laborers with his ability to evade capture in the racially segregated country.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

South Africa UK

Language:

English Afrikaans

Release Date:

29 June 1990 (UK)

Also Known As:

A szél nyomában

Filming Locations:

Namibia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apex Motion Pictures Sales Limited, Film Afrika Worldwide, ICA Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Undiscovered Gem

This is early Sean Bean and Prime John Hurt. The Photography and Direction are very reminiscent of Michelangelo Antonionini, but not as "out there". The similarity was clearest in the use of silence, particularly during grand, panoramas of windswept desolation. Whether in the American deserts or London parks, Antonionini gave us a sense of presence which is seldom found. He had us sitting, and viewing, and listening. Here, we also hear the wind and watch the dust devils forming and moving in their dance. We feel.

This seemed to be an intimate "behind the scenes" look at Africa during Apartheid, with the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Many cultural beliefs and daily lifestyles shown in an extremely believable manner. I'm not sure how, but I felt that I was there.

There was a simple plot, but with enough twists to maintain interest. Without a needlessly complex web, the focus was on authentically portrayed lifestyles and location. One could felt the heat, the dust and the people. I could easily picture several of my African friends in the scenes. This was an undiscovered gem.