Watch Free State

The movie Free State, released in 2016, is a South African historical drama that tells the story of love and defiance set against the backdrop of the 1976 Soweto uprising. The film is directed by multi-award winning director, Sallas de Jager, and written by Johan Cronje, who adapted the story from his own novel "The Last Dance". The film opens with an image of farm land stretching out as far as the eye can see. It is 1976, and the apartheid regime is in full swing. But on the farm where the film's protagonist, Jeanette (Nicola Breytenbach), lives with her family, life is relatively peaceful. Jeanette is a beautiful and headstrong young woman who is determined to become a veterinarian against the wishes of her conservative father.

One day, while on her way to a protest rally, Jeanette meets a young man named Rauel (Andrew Govender), who is determined to fight against the injustice of the apartheid regime. The two fall in love, and their relationship is tested when Rauel is forced to go into hiding as he becomes more deeply involved in the movement.

As the Soweto uprising of June 16, 1976, erupts, Jeanette's family farm becomes a hiding place for Rauel and other anti-apartheid activists. Jeanette becomes more and more involved, helping with secret food deliveries to the activists and even hiding weapons on the farm.

The film portrays the brutality of the apartheid system, and the bravery of those who fought against it. We see images of young schoolchildren being shot down in the streets, and the heartbreaking effects this has on the families left behind. We also see the lengths to which the apartheid regime was willing to go to maintain its grip on power, including torture and murder.

One of the most powerful scenes in the film occurs when Jeanette's father, who has been oblivious to the activities of the activists hidden on his farm, is forced to confront the reality of the situation. He is faced with the choice of whether to turn in his daughter and her friends or risk everything to protect them.

Leleti Khumalo gives a standout performance as Eunice, a domestic worker who works on the farm and becomes a key ally to the activists. Khumalo's character is a reminder that apartheid affected everyone, not just those who were directly oppressed by the system.

Throughout the film, we see Jeanette and Rauel's relationship tested as they struggle to reconcile their desire to be together with their commitment to the struggle for freedom. The film ends on a poignant note as we see the couple, older and wiser, reflecting on the sacrifices they made for the cause they believed in.

Overall, Free State is a powerful and moving film that takes a fresh look at the struggle against apartheid from the perspective of those who fought against it. The performances are strong, the cinematography is striking, and the story is both engaging and thought-provoking. It is a must-see for anyone interested in South African history or the fight for social justice.

Free State is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.