- Actors: Brendan Gleeson, Samuel L. Jackson, Juliette Binoche, Menzi Ngubane
- Directors: John Boorman
- Producers: John Boorman, Lynn Hendee, Robert Chartoff, Kieran Corrigan, Mike Medavoy
- Format: Subtitled, PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: Danish, English, Finnish, German, Hindi, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 18 Sep 2006
- Run Time: 99 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000BPNCUY
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 51,553 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Synopsis
A cynical American journalist's affair with a beautiful Afrikaans reporter opens his eyes to the healing powers of forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The film is based on an autobiographical account of that period, Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog. At the start of the film we are told about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and that the stories portrayed in the film have been "faithfully re-enacted".
Anna (Binoche) is a South African radio journalist and poet. It's late 1995 and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is just about to be launched. At the press conference she meets her new sound engineer, Dumi (Ngubane), and an American journalist, Langston Whitfield (Jackson), covering the Commission for the Washington Post. Anna and Langston fight as he holds her, as an Afrikaan, responsible for the atrocities of the Apartheid regime and sees the TRC as a way of letting the perpetrators off.
There are two basic stories: there's the relationship between Anna and Langston, and there's the story of Anna finding out the terrible things that were done in the name of the Afrikaan race. There's also a subplot, which shows us how events effect her family.
In many ways it's reminiscent of Beyond Borders and Out of Africa. The film discusses the legacy of Apartheid as well as telling us Anna's journey (mainly the emotional one).
The characterisation is good and it is well acted. The discussion adds to the film.
I liked it a lot but there seems to be something missing from the film and I can't put my finger on what that is.
Anna (Binoche) is a South African radio journalist and poet. It's late 1995 and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is just about to be launched. At the press conference she meets her new sound engineer, Dumi (Ngubane), and an American journalist, Langston Whitfield (Jackson), covering the Commission for the Washington Post. Anna and Langston fight as he holds her, as an Afrikaan, responsible for the atrocities of the Apartheid regime and sees the TRC as a way of letting the perpetrators off.
There are two basic stories: there's the relationship between Anna and Langston, and there's the story of Anna finding out the terrible things that were done in the name of the Afrikaan race. There's also a subplot, which shows us how events effect her family.
In many ways it's reminiscent of Beyond Borders and Out of Africa. The film discusses the legacy of Apartheid as well as telling us Anna's journey (mainly the emotional one).
The characterisation is good and it is well acted. The discussion adds to the film.
I liked it a lot but there seems to be something missing from the film and I can't put my finger on what that is.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The story of Country of My Skull (book) or In My Country (film), written by South African author Antjie Krog, is one of the most inspiring stories of South Africa after apartheid.
The story tell of the confusing romance between Anna, a white South African radio-journalist, and Langston, a black American Washington Post-journalist. But the main focus of the story is of course post-Apartheid South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The journalists are both affected by what is told in the commission and the horrors of Apartheid slowly unfold to a wild roller coaster ride full of emotions.
Langston has come to South Africa with his mind made up, all whites are bad and all blacks are the victim of the white regime. As more stories in the Commission are being told, from both the white and black perspectives and the relationship between Anna and him develops, Langston starts to realize that there's more to the Apartheid-story than meets the American eye. The South African Ubuntu approach seems to be more effective to solving the post-Apartheid problems the country is left with.
One of the reviewers before me already said "I liked it a lot but there seems to be something missing from the film and I can't put my finger on what that is" and I feel the same way. The film is good, but the book is better. I do think you should either see the film or read the book, the story is too interesting to not be heard.
I think the best part of this story is that it doesn't point at anyone as "guilty" or "innocent". It's a story about the closure of a tragic and horrific era of South African history. Antjie Krog makes the story incredibly real and touching. It's not just a film or a story, it's about people. And that's what matters.
The story tell of the confusing romance between Anna, a white South African radio-journalist, and Langston, a black American Washington Post-journalist. But the main focus of the story is of course post-Apartheid South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The journalists are both affected by what is told in the commission and the horrors of Apartheid slowly unfold to a wild roller coaster ride full of emotions.
Langston has come to South Africa with his mind made up, all whites are bad and all blacks are the victim of the white regime. As more stories in the Commission are being told, from both the white and black perspectives and the relationship between Anna and him develops, Langston starts to realize that there's more to the Apartheid-story than meets the American eye. The South African Ubuntu approach seems to be more effective to solving the post-Apartheid problems the country is left with.
One of the reviewers before me already said "I liked it a lot but there seems to be something missing from the film and I can't put my finger on what that is" and I feel the same way. The film is good, but the book is better. I do think you should either see the film or read the book, the story is too interesting to not be heard.
I think the best part of this story is that it doesn't point at anyone as "guilty" or "innocent". It's a story about the closure of a tragic and horrific era of South African history. Antjie Krog makes the story incredibly real and touching. It's not just a film or a story, it's about people. And that's what matters.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film illustrates how having a cover with a well known and respected actor and actress does not necessarily deliver a good film. The subject matter is complex, but the endeavour to explore the process of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission as it bears witness to the attrocities commited in the name of apartheid is sadly empty. The script lacks punch and provides a somewhat sanitised portrayal of the lead characters. The cliches keep rolling along and the lead characters provide somewhat unconvincing mouthpieces for the more poignant thoughts relating to the subject matter. At times their spoken thoughts are so banal as to almost insult the audience. The film therefore lacks credulity as a serious piece of cinema and with a number of excessively contrived scenes and situations leaves one wondering how it came to the screen.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
was my review deleted?
im sure i already reviewed this.
its a pretty bland film to be honest. just a bit of multicultural propoganda. Read more
its a pretty bland film to be honest. just a bit of multicultural propoganda. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by King George
The Truth of a Moment in Time and How the African Heartbeat is...
The subject matter of this film and the part played by Juliette Binoche is a good portrayal of a very difficult time in South Africa, for both Blacks and Whites. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2009 by Mr. R. J. Underwood
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