Red Dust (2004)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers:

Troy Kennedy-Martin (screenplay)
Gillian Slovo (novel)

Release Date:

14 April 2005 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Police officer Dirk Hendricks (Bartlett) files an amnesty application for Alex Mpondo (Ejiofor), a member of the South African Parliament who can't remember the torture he once endured as a captive political activist. South African-born attorney Sarah Barcant (Swank), meanwhile, returns to her homeland to represent Mpondo, as well as Steve Sizela, Mpondo's friend who arrested along with him and never heard from again. |

Plot Keywords:

South Africa | Apartheid | Courtroom | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Jamie Bartlett	...	Dirk Hendricks
Hilary Swank	...	Sarah Barcant
Ian Roberts	...	Piet Müller
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Alex Mpondo
Hlomla Dandala	...	Oscar Dumasi
James Ngcobo	...	Ezekiel
Glen Gabela	...	Themba
Connie Mfuku	...	Alex's Aunt
Sylvaine Strike	...	Woman at House
Greg Latter	...	Mannie Bester
Zaa Nkweta	...	Reporter
Marius Weyers	...	Ben Hoffman
Sam Phillips	...	Elder (as Sam Philllips)
Elize Cawood	...	Anna Hoffman
Mawongo Tyawa	...	James Sizela (as Mawonga Dominic Tyawa)

MPAA:

Rated R for violent images and language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

UK | South Africa

Language:

English | Xhosa | Afrikaans

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:14 | USA:R | Australia:M | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Italy:T | Iceland:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:12 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

[last lines]
Alex Mpondo: We have the right to say that it hurt.

Movie Connections:

References The Graduate (1967)

Very Emotive and Powerful

I haven't seen a film in a long time that moved me and gripped me in such a way; that I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I was busting for the loo; and I didn't even want to pause it because I was drawn right in. Emotive; powerful; very moving; horrific and heart-breaking. It gives you an amazing insight to South Africa; their struggles and their lives. The acting by the leads were mind-blowing and the script was incredible. Despite the terrible events that unfold in this film and how horrific the story is; I was captivated. I don't want to even try and explain the story; it's way too complex and I wouldn't do it justice. Please see this; you'll understand why when you do. Cheers, Hol