Forgiveness (2004)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Ian Gabriel

Writer:

Greg Latter (writer)

Release Date:

10 March 2006 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A disgraced ex-cops arrival in a small town triggers a cathartic journey of Forgiveness and revenge for himself and the family of the activist he killed. |

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Quanita Adams	...	Sannie Grootboom
Christo Davids	...	Ernest Grootboom
Zane Meas	...	Hendrik Grootboom
Denise Newman
Lionel Newton	...	Luke
Arnold Vosloo	...	Tertius Coetzee

Directed by
Ian Gabriel

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Greg Latter		writer

Produced by
Cindy Gabriel	....	producer
Jeremy Nathan	....	executive producer
Joel Phiri	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Philip Miller

Cinematography by
Giulio Biccari

Film Editing by
Ronelle Loots

Production Design by
Leon Van Der Merwe

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Leigh Tanchel	....	first assistant director

Sound Department
Barry Donnelly	....	dialogue editor
Barry Donnelly	....	sound editor
Barry Donnelly	....	sound effects editor
Conrad Kuhne	....	sound

Visual Effects by
Tim Spitzer	....	DI supervisor

Stunts
Daryl Andrews	....	stunts
John Smith	....	stunt driver

Camera and Electrical Department
Zak 'Ebenezzer' O'Leary	....	crane grip
Roderick Dean Smith	....	key grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gillian Castle	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
John Dowdell	....	HD Colorist
Paul Hanrahan	....	post-production consultant
Peter Heady	....	digital intermediate finishing artist
Jean Lane	....	DI Producer

Production Companies

• Giant Films
• Dv8

Distributors

• 1More Film (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• California Newsreel (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ster-Kinekor Pictures (non-USA)

Other Companies

• Goldcrest Post Production New York  post-production facilities

Runtime:

112 min | Argentina:112 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English | Afrikaans

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company:

Giant Films

Solid South African production

I watched this over the weekend. For a relatively low budget movie I was quite impressed. Kudos to Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) for coming back to SA to support the local industry. It is also great to see the local guys putting in convincing performances.

The story moves at a reasonable pace for the most part, though it was a bit slow in places. The plot is one which South Africans will identify well with, though foreigners will be able to follow it with ease. The movie explores strong racial antagonism which mellows towards racial reconciliation. This theme has been overworked in the past, but this movie gives it fresh spin and there are some quirky, dramatic and tense scenes. Even with the slightly surprising ending, one does get a sense of closure.

While not brilliant, the camera and director work was more than adequate and did not detract from the movie.

It would be great to see more South African movies. It was a pity that the theater was mostly empty. Lack of support for something as solid as this is disheartening. Local industry needs more support from the viewer base. Even though the movie is 'arty' it should have perhaps been released on the main circuit to give it greater exposure.