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In My Country [2005]
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In My Country is A Disappointment
Review date: 2008-01-06 Rating: 2 out of 10
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.
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Reviews
A View into South Africa
Review date: 2007-01-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
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.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Menzi Ngubane
Brendan Gleeson
Samuel L. Jackson
Juliette Binoche
Creators:
Samuel L. Jackson (Primary Contributor)
Juliette Binoche (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822796836
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2006-09-18
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Dubbed)