A Dry White Season (1989)

A white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed by the secret police and turns him into a target.

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 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) is a schoolteacher who always has considered himself a man of caring and justice, at least on the individual level. When his gardener, Stanley's (Zakes Mokae's) son, Jonathan (Bekhithemba Mpofu), 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:

anti apartheid activist | state violence | tortured prisoners | gardener | south africa | 

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Taglines:

One man has opened his eyes to the truth.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marlon Brando shot all of his scenes in eight days in early September 1988.

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Goofs

When Marlon Brando is in court grilling the Doctor. His glasses are on, then they pan away from him for a moment then back to him and his glasses are up on his head. Then they pan away for just a second, and when they go back to him, they are down again. Very subtle but easy to notice.

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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

Featured in At the Movies: Black Rain/Heavy Petting/In Country/A Dry White Season/Heart of Dixie (1989)

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Soundtracks

YINI KODWA YINI
Written by Joseph Shabalala
Performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Produced by Danny Lawson for Night After Night Ltd.
Additional vocal performances by the cast of Sarafina

User Reviews

Accurate but incomplete portrayal of the old South Africa

If you want to understand what the old South Africa could be like at its worst, this movie accurately portrays it. Well acted and only slightly over-dramatized, it gives you the sense of how the ruling culture was blind to its own injustices. Those who oppose the main character from within his own family make some valid points, and that makes it all the more chilling.

As someone who lived in South Africa until shortly before the year this movie is set in (and was forced to leave because I opposed apartheid), I can't fault the authenticity of this movie but I want to caution viewers not to form all your opinions of white South Africans from this type of film. There is a good side to every culture, but it is harder to portray and doesn't always make great box office.

If this movie leaves you hating anyone, you are taking away the wrong message. If it leaves you realizing this could happen anywhere, and ordinary good people can easily find themselves on the wrong side in situations like this, that is the right message to take away.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Afrikaans Zulu English

Release Date:

20 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dry White Season

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$202,507, 24 September 1989

Gross USA:

$3,766,879

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,766,879

Company Credits

Production Co:

Davros Films, Star Partners II Ltd., Sundance Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1