The Bang Bang Club (2010)

A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa.

Director:

Steven Silver

Writers:

Steven Silver, Greg Marinovich (based on the book by)

Stars:

Ryan Phillippe, Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch

8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan Phillippe	...	Greg Marinovich
Malin Akerman	...	Robin Comley
Taylor Kitsch	...	Kevin Carter
Neels van Jaarsveld	...	João
Frank Rautenbach	...	Ken
Nina Milner	...	Samantha
Jessica Haines	...	Allie
Lika Berning	...	Vivian (as Lika van den Bergh)
Kgosi Mongake	...	Patrick
Russel Savadier	...	Ronald
Patrick Shai	...	Pegleg
Alfred Kumalo	...	Alf Khumalo (as Alf Khumalo)
Craig Palm	...	Amir
Nick Boraine	...	Colin
Patrick Lyster	...	Jim

Storyline

A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa.

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Plot Keywords:

1990s | year 1994 | photo journalist | south african | township | 

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Taglines:

It's not always black and white

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, disturbing images, pervasive language, some drug use and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany]

Country:

Canada South Africa

Language:

English Zulu Xhosa Afrikaans

Release Date:

22 July 2011 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Fotógrafos de la muerte

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Foundry Films, Instinctive Film, Out of Africa Entertainment

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Carter's daughter Megan Carter is featured in the bar scene where she turns around and says 'you must be Ken Oosterbroek'. Standing next to her there is Kevin Carter's step daughter Sian Lloyd.

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Goofs

In the film Kevin Carter plays the song "Just" by Radiohead on his radio show. However the song was released in 1995 after Kevin's death.

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Quotes

Kevin Carter: They're right. All those people who say it's our job to just sit and watch people die. They're right.

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Crazy Credits

Photos of the five main characters are juxtaposed against photos of their real life counterparts.

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Connections

Featured in The Hour: Episode #7.81 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Addicted to You
Written by Carl Raubenheimer
Performed by Illegal Gathering

User Reviews

Visceral and realistic tribute

I lived in Johannesburg, working for the Independent Electoral Commission during this period, on a leave of absence from the print media. This is a true-to-life (if slightly glamorized) depiction of a group of fearless and dedicated photographers who probably ultimately defused a potential civil war by their heroic reporting.

Glamorized in that they were a grungier bunch (see the photos in the credits at the end), who took far greater risks than portrayed in the movie. I dare say that the public would not have believed a more accurate story.

Anyone who is interested in the history of Southern Africa should watch this. Nearly 20 years later, it still leaves me shaken.

Also good to see South African actors in the movie, even if most of the leads were imports.