Watch Otelo Burning

Otelo Burning is a drama set in 1989 during apartheid era South Africa. The story follows Otelo Buthelezi (Jafta Mamabolo) and his two best friends, New Year (Thobani Mseleni) and Mandla (Sihle Xaba), as they navigate the complexities of growing up in a township in Durban. Otelo is a talented surfer, and it is through surfing that he develops a relationship with a white teenager named Tara (Harmony Rose Bremner). However, their friendship is met with disapproval and prejudice from both the black and white communities.

As tensions rise in the township, Otelo's friends become involved in the political resistance movement against apartheid, while Otelo struggles to balance his passion for surfing with the challenges of living in a divided society. He also has to deal with the abusive behavior of his older brother, who is part of a township gang.

Meanwhile, the character of Mandla undergoes his coming-of-age rites and tries to become a man according to the traditional customs of his tribe. As he tries to reconcile these traditions with the obstacles of modernity, he starts to look for answers in the wrong places.

The film is directed and co-written by Sara Blecher, who was inspired by her own experiences growing up in Durban, and is based on real-life events.

Otelo Burning is a beautifully shot film with gorgeous visuals of the Indian Ocean and the South African coastline. The performances of the young actors are incredibly nuanced and compelling, perfectly capturing the sense of youthful hope and uncertainty in the face of danger and upheaval.

One of the main themes of the movie is the power of friendship and the incredible bonds that can be formed between people from different backgrounds. Otelo, New Year and Mandla are constantly there for each other, even when things get tough, and their loyalty is a bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous world.

The film also explores the complex and often fraught relationship between black and white South Africans during apartheid, and the deep-rooted prejudices that still exist today. However, despite the serious subject matter, the film is also full of humor, love and hope.

Overall, Otelo Burning is a thought-provoking and and emotional film that portrays the human cost of apartheid in a way that resonates across generations.