Watch In My Country
- R
- 2004
- 1 hr 43 min
-
6.0 (2,962)
In My Country is a powerful drama set in South Africa during the early 1990s. The film follows the experiences of two journalists, Anna Malan (played by Juliette Binoche) and Langston Whitfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson), who are covering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings that were set up in the aftermath of the end of apartheid.
As they navigate their way through the tense and emotionally charged atmosphere of the hearings, Anna and Langston develop a deep and complex relationship that is tested by the trauma and pain that they witness as victims of apartheid come forward to tell their stories.
The film is based on the novel Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog, and is directed by John Boorman, who brings his trademark cinematic style to the story, using evocative and striking imagery to capture the stark and beautiful landscapes of South Africa, and to underline the emotional impact of the testimonies that are given during the hearings.
Binoche delivers an outstanding performance as Anna, a white South African journalist who is grappling with her own complicity in the crimes of apartheid, and who is deeply moved by the stories of the victims that she hears. Her character is complex and nuanced, and Binoche does an excellent job of conveying both her passion and her vulnerability.
Jackson, too, is excellent in his role as Langston, an African-American journalist who is initially skeptical of the TRC process, but who gradually becomes more and more committed to telling the stories of the victims. His chemistry with Binoche is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the most powerful in the film.
The supporting cast is also strong, with Brendan Gleeson giving a moving performance as a former police officer who is forced to confront the horrors of his past, and Menzi Ngubane standing out as a young man who is fighting for justice for his father, who was killed by the police during the apartheid era.
The film does an excellent job of capturing the complexity and emotional intensity of the TRC hearings, which were a crucial part of South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy. Through the stories of the victims and the perpetrators, the film explores the themes of justice, reconciliation, and forgiveness, and asks difficult questions about what it means to be a South African in the wake of such a traumatic period in the country's history.
Overall, In My Country is a powerful and thought-provoking film that deals with weighty themes in a nuanced and sensitive way. The performances are excellent, the cinematography is stunning, and the storytelling is powerful and effective. It is a film that deserves to be seen by anyone who is interested in the history and politics of South Africa, as well as by those who are simply looking for a moving and thought-provoking drama.
In My Country is a 2004 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 44.