Cry Freedom

Cry Freedom
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard Attenborough
Screenplay byJohn Briley
Based onBiko and
Asking for Trouble
by Donald Woods
Produced byRichard Attenborough
Starring
CinematographyRonnie Taylor
Edited byLesley Walker
Music byGeorge Fenton
Jonas Gwangwa
Production
company
Marble Arch Productions
Distributed byUniversal Pictures (United States)
United International Pictures (International)
Release dates
  • 6 November 1987 (1987-11-06) (United States)
  • 26 November 1987 (1987-11-26) (United Kingdom)
Running time
157 minutes
Country
    • United Kingdom[1]
    • United States[1]
LanguagesEnglish
Afrikaans
Xhosa
Zulu
Sesotho
Budget$29 million
Box office$15 million (theatrical rentals)[2]

Cry Freedom is a 1987 epic biographical drama film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough, set in late-1970s apartheid-era South Africa. The screenplay was written by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centres on the real-life events involving South African activist Steve Biko and his friend Woods, who initially finds him too radical, and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while Kevin Kline portrays Woods. Penelope Wilton co-stars as Woods' wife Wendy. Cry Freedom delves into the ideas of discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence.

A joint collective effort to commit to the film's production was made by Universal Pictures and Marble Arch Productions and the film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe due to not being allowed to film in South Africa at the time of production. It was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures, opening in the United States on 6 November 1987. South African authorities unexpectedly allowed the film to be screened in cinemas without cuts or restrictions, despite the publication of Biko's writings being banned at the time of its release.[3]

The film was generally met with favourable reviews and earned theatrical rentals of $15 million worldwide. The film was nominated for multiple awards, including Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor (for Washington), Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. It was nominated for seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction, and won Best Sound.

  1. ^ a b "Cry Freedom (1987)". BFI Collections. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Foreign Vs. Domestic Rentals". Variety. 11 January 1989. p. 24.
  3. ^ Battersby, John D. (28 November 1987). "Pretoria Censors to Let 'Cry Freedom' Be Seen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.

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