Disgrace (2008)

After having an affair with a student, a Cape Town professor moves to the Eastern Cape, where he gets caught up in a mess of post-apartheid politics.

Director:

Steve Jacobs

Writers:

J.M. Coetzee (novel), Anna Maria Monticelli (screenplay)

Stars:

John Malkovich, Natalie Becker, Jessica Haines

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Malkovich	...	Professor David Lurie
Jessica Haines	...	Lucy Lurie
Eriq Ebouaney	...	Petrus
Fiona Press	...	Bev Shaw
Antoinette Engel	...	Melanie Isaacs
Natalie Becker	...	Soraya
Antonio Fisher	...	Sidney - Student
Isabella De Villiers	...	Mrs. Cundell - Student
Cindy Mkaza	...	Mrs. Mbeti - Student
Liezel De Kock	...	Student Director
Charles Tertiens	...	Ryan
David Dennis	...	Mr. Isaacs (as David Denis)
Paula Arundell	...	Dr Farodia Rassool
Anne Looby	...	Rosalind
David Ritchie	...	Manas Mathbane

Storyline

Cape Town professor David Lurie blatantly refuses to defend himself for an affair with a colored student whom he gave a passing grade for an exam she didn't even attend. Dismissed, he moves to his daughter Lucy's farm, which she runs under most disadvantaged terms, favoring the black locals. Yet rowdies, unprovoked, violently rob and abuse them both. Lucy refuses to fight back, unlike David, who is surprised by his own altruistic potential.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | professor | student | abuse | farm | 

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Taglines:

What is a mad heart?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, nudity, some violence and brief language

Details

Country:

Australia South Africa

Language:

English Xhosa Afrikaans Zulu

Release Date:

18 June 2009 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Desgracia

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,615, 20 September 2009

Gross USA:

$69,705

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,551,307

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fortissimo Films, Sherman Films, Whitest Pouring Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was financed by the Film Finance Corporation Australia, Newbridge Film Capital, Whitest Pouring Films, the New South Wales Film and Television Office and the South Australian Film Corporation.

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Goofs

When David confronts Lucy at the impound yard, he pulls her left arm away from the steering wheel. In the next shot, it has returned.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Professor David Lurie: I haven't heard from my daughter.
Soraya: Still living with a woman.
Professor David Lurie: Yes, still a lesbian. Still on the farm. She thinks it's safe there.
Soraya: No where's safe. Too many people with nothing to do but cause trouble. How's work?
Professor David Lurie: They look through me when I speak. Forget my name.
Soraya: There's no respect anymore. Have you missed me?
Professor David Lurie: I miss you all the time.

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Connections

References Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

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Soundtracks

Kwalanga
Written by Duke
Performed by Thandabantu

User Reviews

a disgrace or not?

This austere movie based on a Booker prize winning novel be J.M.Coertzee will leave you breathless as the performances by Malkovich and his co star Jessica Haines are both very compelling.A story perhaps without a beginning or an ending and not a movie for the brainless, may suit more than one viewing to figure out all the symbolism here of post apartheid South Africa. Here we are asked how do you handle the injustices of life? aloof like Melanie, timid like Rosalind, with desperate acceptance like Lucy or with audacious dignity like David? There is a lot more to discover in this movie.The title is an enigma, where is the Disgrace? In life itself or In our inability to shape our futures with much effect? Well worth a watch but be prepared to be frustrated, angry and outraged by the displays of injustice paraded before you.