Cry Freedom

CRY FREEDOM depicts the violent, terrible deeds of the oppressive white racist government that ran South Africa for decades. At a time when future South African president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, 30-year-old Steven Biko (Denzel Washington) spoke out against inequality to the degree that the government "banned" him, a practice that isolated leaders pushing for equality of the races. Privileged white newspaper editor Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) misunderstands Biko's position and writes against him, until he's invited to meet Biko. Biko's intelligence and bravery opens Woods' eyes to the fair treatment Biko really advocates. From then on, Woods works to help Biko achieve his goals by smuggling out his writings and hiring two black newspaper employees. One is arrested, tortured, and hanged in his cell, a death the police claim is suicide. Biko evades his ban by traveling to speak to activist students. He's arrested and tortured, and finally beaten to death, which is also covered up by the police. Woods sneaks in to take pictures of the mauled body (bruises are shown) and forces an inquest that's rigged to ultimately find the police innocent. Woods is banned by the government and many anti-apartheid activists help him make a dangerous escape with his wife and five kids to England, where he publishes a book that describes Biko's death, and explains his ideas and the true nature of South African oppression. The film begins with a vast and brutal police raid on a sleepy township of impoverished black people in their hovels. People are beaten and shot dead by government forces. Homes and belongings are burned. The movie is book-ended by a similar police attack on peacefully protesting students who are mowed down by bullets and clubs. The film was released in 1987, seven years before apartheid ended.