FILM REVIEW ‘Silverton Siege’: The history of South Africa can bring a radical change in the ideology of any common sense person. Some incidents are so sad, tragic and shocking that while searching about them, we will never feel like trusting the human race. South Africa should be called a country full of natural resources. Long ago, a systematic and planned program was started to loot this area for commercial gain. The local residents there could not oppose this loot, so the most disgusting disease like apartheid was imposed on them. There was a time when there was not even a single black person from the government to the sports teams.
Even those who were talented had to go through the difficult path of poverty and inequality and even then they could not reach the destination. Nelson Mandela, who opposed this and was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, was imprisoned for about 27 years from 1963 to 1990. The recently released film “Silverton Siege” on Netflix, based on a true incident that took place in 1980, tragically shows all kinds of differences between blacks and whites in every scene and gives a message that In which all of us are asked to understand human being as human being, stop dividing them on the basis of colour-caste-religion or any other basis. The movie is amazing.
The purpose of the “MK”, the armed wing of Nelson Mandela’s party, the African National Congress, was to spread such anarchy through armed programs in apartheid and colonialism-ridden South Africa that the country would be ungovernable and gradually the indigenous people Can get the power of the country. These armed activities sometimes included programs like destroying power plants and sometimes robbing banks. In 1980, MK cops Calvin Khumalo (Thabo Rametsi), Terra (Noxolo Dlamini) and Aldo (Stephan Eramus) set out with some of their comrades to destroy an oil refining unit, but due to the betrayal of an accomplice Their plan goes awry and the police goes after them.
A shootout ensues, people on both sides are killed but Khumalo, Tera and Aldo escape and enter a bank and take everyone there hostage. Khumalo gets an idea that he will not be able to escape, so he cleverly succeeds in turning this hostage situation into a “Release Nelson Mandela from Jail” movement. The media frenzy and police officer Johann Langermann’s (Arnold Voslu) insistence on solving the case without bloodshed lead to a series of obstacles, but eventually an army unit storms the bank with guns drawn.
The film is based on the incident of 1980. Director Mandla Dubey and production designer Chantel Carter have lent credibility to each and every scene of the film. Not only the clothes of that time but also the design of the bank of that period, cars and guns have been included in the film to bring the time alive. Incidents with hostages have been seen many times. Contact via phone, bringing food to the hostages, a failed attempt to escape by helicopter, a traitorous accomplice and then preparing to be martyred by tying a shroud over his head; There are several scenes that weigh the film down a bit, yet it was heartening to see Khumalo’s attempt to turn a hostage situation into a nationwide movement succeed. Especially when this movement was to release Nelson Mandela from jail.
The acting is top notch by all. One or two scenes seem a bit fake. Like the minister’s daughter being a bank employee and when her release is accepted, she refuses to be released and instead raises slogans to release Nelson Modella. The presence of an American black boxing promoter inside the bank and his immediate sympathy for blacks also seems fake. The plan to take hostage in the bank was not to release Nelson Mandela from anywhere, just seeing the demand of the time, Khumalo’s use of the opportunity seems amazing.
Rashid Leni’s music is good. The songs of the artistes of that time have been included in the film which lends credibility to the film and gives an interesting twist to the screenplay. Sean Harley Lee’s cinematography is good, although there is no innovation in the shots and the same is true of editor Richard Starke’s editing. The film has been successful in keeping it tight, but there was no uniqueness due to the coordination of events. This is the first feature film of author Sabelo Magidi and it is important to mention that the screenplay is based on a true story and not a docu-drama. The film is funny. If you leave some typical scenes, the film will look good.
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Tags: movie review, Hollywood
FIRST PUBLISHED : May 10, 2022, 23:44 IST
