Goodbye Bafana (2007)

Thanks for the memories!

Such a frustrating disappointment

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Or at least through the eyes of a white man. Even if you are not familiar with Mandelas story you will able to see where this is going. The story of the white man/guard might be spiked a bit and his wife does not have much to do (Diane Kruger) besides the obvious (caring for him, the safety of their family and being a faithful wife, sticking with her husband through it all).One thing is sure, you do need a really charismatic and good actor if you want to portray a man like Mandela. And Dennis H. is one who can deliver. Even if he may not be on everyones radar, he has proved (on TV, but still), that he does have the skills and the presence to do such a job. He is not revealed immediately in the movie, which is not just another (filmmaking) trick, but serves the story or better yet the relationship between the two main man. New movies will come out and they probably will tell a better story, but this is not a bad movie either (even if predictable all the way through).

If you are looking for a demanding film for the weekend, you should watch "Goodbye, Bafana". This film was directed by Bille August in 2007. It is based on the memories of Nelson Mandela's prison ward James Gregory and it plays in South Africa during the period of Apartheid (1968). The 140-minute-long film clearly represents the brutality and discrimination against black Africans. The Apartheid-regime meets with more and more resistance so that the Whites fear to lose their political influence. This makes them prohibit Anti-Apartheid-organizations and banish their leaders to the prison-island Robben Island, near Kapstadt. One of the jailed men is Nelson Mandela. On Robben Island Mandela gets to know the racist James Gregory, who watches him. As time passes Mandela convinces Gregory to change into a proponent of an equal South Africa. ...But to understand how his opinion changes you will have to view it yourself.This film is surely worth seeing because of its dramatic action, presented by great actors like Diane Kruger or Dennis Haysbert and Joseph Fiennes. If I was asked to rate this film on a scale from zero to ten, I would give it nine points.

The BBC recently referred to Nelson Mandela as 'the most revered man on planet Earth.' That is not an exaggeration, and it is that reputation that permeates Goodbye, Bafana and provokes an emotional response. I went on the journey with the film, and was moved, but I suspect more by the evocation of Mandela himself than by the craft of the filmmakers.Fiennes is James Gregory, an unreformed bigot whose life is turned around by close proximity to Mandela. Fiennes handles the role comfortably, if unspectacularly. The less recognisable Diane Kruger is more convincing as a venal apologist for apartheid. The major question mark is Dennis Haysbert. He is never more than a competent actor playing Mandela. He never inhabits the role, the way Will Smith does Ali or Jamie Foxx Ray. Indeed, Mandela deserves to be portrayed the way Ben Kingsley portrayed Ghandi. No doubt such a film will come, and with it the eclipsing of Goodbye Bafana.The film is not a failure, but neither is it a success. It is a decent attempt at telling a remarkable story. However, given that story, I expected so much more.

Nelson Mandela – this movie is about him, and that is the only factor that made to select this movie.But the story is not about Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert) but about his prison guard James Gregory (Joseph Fiennes) who first serves as a prison guard (in 1968) for Mandela because he knows the African language Xhosa that Mandela and his comrades speak. He is transferred because he shows a soft corner for Mandela but due to international pressure is re-appointed in 1983 till the release of Mandela from prison.While seeing the movie one feels that what a great honor to have – serving contemporary history's most respected leaders as prison guard. Joseph Fiennes shows his range as an actor filling all ranges of age profile – being young and energetic to middle aged character. Dennis Haysbert portrays the role of his life time with gut, gutsy and tremendous respect and dignity – in being Nelson Mandela – an honor for an actor.The movie as rightly said by some critics is a history lesson of sorts. But please do not be mistaken by this comment. When I read that comment, I had two thoughts – whether I should go and see a history lesson? YES everyone who has a golden heart should see this movie. Every person who is by default has white skin should see this movie. It is simple, honest, and displays hidden prejudices of apartheid world that are prevalent even today in forms of class.As Mahatma Gandhi was called terrorist, so was Nelson Mandela was labeled a terrorist. He used arms struggle for making his point. He wanted the ruling British to talk with nationalist fighters – for peace. But British and their allied countries never agreed for a one-to-one dialogue and the mayhem of anarchy, atrocity and violence continued for more than half a century in peaceful and beautiful South African country. The local inhabitants were brutally killed by invaders who occupied most part of resources land claiming it to be their own mother land.My salute to Denmark Director Bille August who shows the apathy of human mind with everyday talks against terrorist – the same we talk today.I was fortunate to be part of the audience seeing this movie.(Stars 7.5 out of 10)