In My Country (2004)
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22% of critics liked it
(81 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(3,237 ratings)
The many emotional scars left by South Africa's history of institutionalized racism come under the microscope in this drama. As South Africa comes to terms with the legacy of apartheid, their government has created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which the perpetrators of racial… More The many emotional scars left by South Africa's history of institutionalized racism come under the microscope in this drama. As South Africa comes to terms with the legacy of apartheid, their government has created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which the perpetrators of racial violence and injustice must come face to face with their victims if they are to be forgiven for their crimes. Langston Whitfield (Samuel L. Jackson) is an African-American journalist who is assigned to cover these hearings by The Washington Post; Whitfield doubts the efficacy of this process, and sets out to interview Col. De Jager (Brendan Gleeson), a notorious former officer of the South African police who was famous for his violence against blacks in order to put this method to the test. While in South Africa, Whitfield meets Anna Malan (Juliette Binoche), an Afrikaner poet who is covering the hearing for a radio station and is both appalled and disturbed by the details of the violence inflicted against her countrymen. After striking up a friendship, Whitfield and Malan become romantically involved as they try to come to terms with their feelings about what they've learned. Also screened under the title Country of My Skull, In My Country was adapted from a book by South African author Antjie Krog. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Boorman
- Written By
- Ann Peacock
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International
- In Theaters
- Mar 11, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
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Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
It shows what can go wrong when a good-intentioned filmmaker mixes historical tragedy with Hollywood banality.
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John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Ostensibly about the aftermath of apartheid, but the pain of a people serves only as a backdrop for the most contrived of love stories.
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Bob Townsend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is it a docudrama about South Africa's post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings? Or is it love story? The problem with In My Country is that it tries to be both.
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Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail
Black, white and clunky.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Need[s] to be seen, as essential history and as demonstration of a form of social reckoning where compassion triumphs over passion, and the olive branch over the gun.
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Cast
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Samuel L. Jackson
as Langston Whitfield
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Juliette Binoche
as Anna Malan
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Brendan Gleeson
as Col. De Jager
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Menzi Ngubane
as Dumi Mkhalipi
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Sam Ngakane
as Anderson
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Aletta Bezuidenhout
as Elsa
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Lionel Newton
as Edward Morgan
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Langley Kirkwood
as Boetie
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Owen Sejake
as Reverend Mzondo
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Harriet Manamela
as Albertina Sobandla
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Louis Van Niekirk
as Willem Malan
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Jeremiah Ndlovu
as Old Man in Wheelbarrow
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Fiona Ramsay
as Felicia Rheinhardt
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Charley Boorman
as Adam Hartley
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Garick Hagon
as Pilot
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Andre Jacobs
as Judge
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Russell Johnson
as Schempers
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Terry Norton
as Lilly
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Greg Latter
as Sgt. Dreyer
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Trix Pienaar
as B&B Lady
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Andrew Johnson
as Taxi Driver
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Thembi Mtshali
as Lizzie
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Jim Paul Eilers
as Police General
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Connie Chiume
as Mrs. Tabata
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Robert Hobbs
as Van Deventer
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Nicholas Andrews
as Chris
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Grant Brett Swanby
as Johan
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Nambitha Mpumlwana
as Woman
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Junior Singo
as Troy
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Nick Boraine
as Jack Marlon
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Thami Ngubeni
as Deborah's Aunt
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Lillian Dube
as Woman
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Dan Robbertse
as De Smidt
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Paul Dirkson
as One Man Band
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Lwando Nondzaba
as Peter Makeba
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Albert Maritz
as Farmer
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Sizwe Msutu
as Gilbert
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Dumisani Mbebe
as Kenneth
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Sunu Gonera
as Lionel
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Seumus Keir
as Simon
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Justin Creasey
as Jonty
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Yolanda Methvin
as Deborah
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Anthony Fridjohn
as Tony Brown
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Bheki Vilakazi
as Perpetrator 1
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Louw Venter
as Alec
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Wayne Harrison
as Brian
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Alyce Chavunduka
as Newsreader
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Namhla Ndlovu
as Woman
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Lee Duru
as Woman
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Johan Marais
as De Jager's Security
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Morgan O'Callaghan
as De Jager's Security
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Frederrick Dannhauser
as De Jager's Security
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Lilian Khumalo
as Commissioner
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Genesis Canda
as Commissioner
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Tony Finley
as Commissioner
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Biah Mokgobu
as Commissioner
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Anthony Karriem
as Commissioner
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Milton Daka
as Commissioner
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Hiportia Hlatana
as Commissioner
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Jefferine October
as Commissioner
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Noliyanda Pike
as Commissioner
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Beverley Bownes
as Commissioner
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Justice Khontyo
as 2nd Judge
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Denzil Campbel
as 3rd Judge
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Christina Ntsomi
as Woman Phone Booth - Corn Field
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Xhantyi Nqayi
as Herd Boy
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Lulama Nombiba
as Langston's Father
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Jean Abrahams
as Langston's Mother-in-Law
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Cindi Sampson
as Deborah's Aunt
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Michelle Zaaiman
as Inge
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Natasha Kotze
as Inge (Voice)
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Natalie Dippenaar
as Johan's Wife
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Zoliswa Mabawa
as Malan Farmhouse Maid
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Elizabeth Mokoatsana
as Crying Woman
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John Coom
as Farmer's Father-in-Law
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Noel Coom
as Farmer's Mother-in-Law
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Shannen Mackay
as Farmer's Daughter
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Xola Luse
as Perpetrator 2
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Sacky Veto
as Old Man's Grandson
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Mohogany Singiswa
as Old Man's Comforter
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Moho Seabela
as Albertina's Friend
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Zingisa Kobo
as Albertina's Friend
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Landiwe Hans
as Albertina's Friend
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John Zacharis
as Langston's Driver
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Jamo Jahjah
as Soccer Ref
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Brian Niewoudt
as Boere Orkes Band
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Endrie Nel
as Boere Orkes Band
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Nic DuToit
as Boere Orkes Band
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Stompie Heyns
as Boere Orkes Band
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Susanna Vermeulen
as Boere Orkes Band
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Morris Uberstein
as Bottle Shop Owner
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Lara Bye
as Alec's Wife
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Marisa Sarfatti
as PR Person
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Phumla Stamper
as Translator
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Warona Seane
as Translator
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John Langemann
as Afrikaner Next to Anna at Hearing
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Nkuli Kgositsile
as Woman With Applications
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Suzanne Bassett
as Anna Look-a-Like
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Amber Stodel
as Lily's Daughter
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Yavor Radkov
as Taxi Driver
- Louis Van Niekerk
- Shane Ngakane
- Harriet Lenabe
