The Bang Bang Club (R) 8.0

The Bang Bang Club (2010): A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. (6.7)

Director: Steven Silver
Writers: Greg Marinovich and João Silva (book), John McBrearty, Steven Silver
Stars: Ryan Phillippe, Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch

I do remember seeing some coverage of the fighting between Inkatha Zulus and ANC on CNN. But this movie brings the brutality of fighting quite up close. The story doesn't get into the politics between the ruling White government, the ANC (with Nelson Mandela still in prison) and the Inkatha. It only makes passing references to who supplies arms to the Zulus. Instead, it focuses on the brutality of violence the photographers cover, their other lives, and how two vastly different worlds existed side by side. Each photographer deals with the effects of covering the communal violence differently. The acting, not just of the 5 main characters, but by the huge supporting cast is superb. The cinematography tries to capture what it must have been like in that era and I think it does a good job of conveying the emotional sequences. For me, some of the scenes brought back memories of riots Sri Lanka in July, 1983. Very moving and some scenes make your skin crawl (you need that; this is a true story). I highly recommend this movie. My Rating: 8.0