"Cry Freedom quickly degenerates from an exploration of Biko and South Africa .
"Cry Freedom" begins with the story of a friendship between a white liberal .
South African and an idealistic young black who later dies at the hands of South .
African police. But the black leader is buried at the movie's halfway point, and .
the rest of the story centers on the editor's desire to escape from South Africa .
and publish his books. .
This movie promises to be an honest account of the turmoil in South Africa and a .
story of a black activist, but it turns into a usual cliffhanger about the .
editor's flight across the border. In my view, whites occupy most of the .
foreground and establish terms of discussion, which the majority of blacks .
remain in the shadow, half-seen presence in the background. A specific example .
of this occurrence is at the soccer match where Steve and Ken hear Biko argue .
for a black culture. Although we hear Biko preach to his fellow people, most .
parts of these scenes we encounter Steve and Ken comparing opinions, while there .
is no discussion between the black people. .
"Cry Freedom" corrodes from exploring Biko and South Africa and turns into .
another 'escape' movie. The first half of the film focuses on the power of .
Biko's charismatic personality as Biko leads Woods to understand for the first .
time the harsh realities blacks face as third citizens. The film focuses us on .
educating and informing the audience about the problems that occur in South .
Africa; this is done via Biko's words. At the same time, Biko educates Wood's .
about the Apartheid in South Africa, he familiarize Wood's to the reality of the .
system, which supports him. It is pointed out in the black township the stark .
contrast between Wood's luxurious lifestyle and the poverty of the blacks. Steve .
Biko is on a quest to hold up hope that blacks and whites can work together and .
change South Africa. This is the main focus of the film's purpose and should .