Film Analysis of Cry Freedom
Film Analysis of "Cry Freedom"
“Cry Freedom” is a film directed by Richard Attenborough. Attenborough shows his bias point of view through out the film. The film is centered around the brutality used by the white man and the death of black activist Steve Biko. The film is also shows consciousness, racial hatred and many other issues.
The opening scene is set in the black township of Crossroads early in the morning. There is little noise and only the sound of crickets and peaceful South African music. The peace is broken by the loud police trucks and the sound of people running and screaming. Black and white snap shots capture this. This gives the audience a dramatic feeling of fear.
Attenborough allows the audience to have a sense of realism by using effective sounds and camera angles to get the best picture. An example of this is when the little boy sounds the alarm to warn the people of the township of the police. He shows the audience how black South Africans have been chased and raped so they have an idea of the Brutality and force used by the white police.
Through out the Township there are posters of Steve Biko. Attenborough does this to let the viewers how important Steve Biko is.
When it returns to the scene of destruction the black peoples homes and belongings are been destroyed by bull dozzers and fires. This leaves the black South Africans of the township with no where to go. This gives the audience a feeling of sympathy for the black's situation.
Also an important scene is the meeting between Donald Woods and Steve Biko. This scene is important in the film because this is the scene that Donald Wood’s changes his thought about life of black South Africans. This is because of what he hears and sees in the black township.
This scene is dark because it is set at night. In the black township it is very noisy, dirty and crowed. The people have to stand around the fires for warmth and there is no electricity or running water.
Richard Attenborough uses many techniques to show the viewers images of the poverty and filth the black people have to live in. He also uses sounds and voices to...