Cry Freedom is a 1987 epic drama film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough, set in late-1970s apartheid-era South Africa. The screenplay was written by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centres on the real-life events involving black activist Steve Biko and his friend Donald Woods, who initially finds him destructive, and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while actor Kevin Kline portrays Woods. Cry Freedom delves into the ideas of discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence. A joint collective effort to commit to the film's production was made by Universal Pictures and Marble Arch Productions and the film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe and in Kenya due to political turmoil in South Africa at the time of production. It was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures, opening in the United States on 6 November 1987.
| Director | Richard Attenborough |
| Produced by | Richard Attenborough |
| Screenplay by | John Briley |
| Starring | Kevin Kline, Penelope Wilton, Denzel Washington |
| Music | George Fenton, Jonas Gwangwa |
| Cinematography | Ronnie Taylor |
| Edited by | Lesley Walker |
| Production, company | Marble Arch Productions |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Released | November 6, 1987 (United States), November 26, 1987 (United Kingdom) |
| Running time | 157 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom, South Africa |
| Language | English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho |
| Budget | $29 million |
| Box office | $15 million (theatrical rentals) |
| Netflix ID | 409857 |
About Cry Freedom
Based on true events, the film is set in apartheid-torn South Africa, where a white journalist Donald Woods and black activist Steve Biko form an unlikely friendship. Woods later must find answers to why Steve Baiko was murdered.
Achievement of Cry Freedom
The film was mainly shot on location in Zimbabwe and in Kenya rather than South Africa. The movie takes place from November 24, 1975 to January 2, 1979.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Cry Freedom
1987 in film - The following is an overview of events in 1987 in film, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies and festivals, a list of films released and notable deaths. Paramount Pictures celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1987.. Films directed by Richard Attenborough.. Films produced by Richard Attenborough.. Xhosa-language films.. Zulu-language films.. Films set in Botswana.. Steve Biko affair.. Films shot in Zimbabwe.. Apartheid films.. Afrikaans-language films.. Films shot in Kenya.. Epic films based on actual events.. British epic films.. Films about activists.. Films set in South Africa.. South African films.. Films based on multiple works.. Films about journalists.. Films about race and ethnicity.. Films based on non-fiction books.. Films set in the 1970s.
Latest information about Cry Freedom updated on July 28 2021.
