Trailer
Year
2024
Length
3×52 min, 90 min
Directors
Xoliswa Sithole, Misha Wessel, Thomas Blom
Free at Last – Unresolved Stories of Apartheid
"Free at Last – Unresolved Stories of Apartheid" brings to light untold personal stories that uncover the true realities of Apartheid, confronting the idea that its horrors are confined to history. As South Africa grapples with its unresolved past, “Free at Last” beckons viewers to witness the ongoing quest for justice and healing.
Synopsis
In 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa’s first black president. With three unforgettable words, “Free at Last”, the oppressive Apartheid regime that held the country in its grip for 46 years, finally came to an end.
With Mandela taking office, there was hope. Hope for an end to the racial division, for the healing of deep wounds, for justice and equality. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up under the leadership of Desmond Tutu, with the goal of unifying the nation. Amnesty for the perpetrators who were prepared to give testimony, recognition for the victims. The world was told that all the horrors of Apartheid would be forever consigned to the history books. South Africa was to become a rainbow nation; a country in harmony with itself.
But today, 30 years on, hope has given way to disappointment and frustration. The wounds of Apartheid are proving difficult to heal and remain visible in South Africa’s current political and socio-economic landscape.
The Truth Commission achieved temporary reconciliation, but it hasn’t been able to shed light on all of Apartheid’s dark secrets. Families of the many victims have been fighting for decades to not only get the truth out, but also bring those responsible to justice. So far, without much success. Around 25.000 people were killed in political violence between 1960 and 1994, but no politicians have been punished and only two state-employed killers have been jailed.
Free at Last is the epic re-telling of the story of Apartheid in South Africa, the TRC and its’ aftermath. What really happened, who was responsible and why haven’t they been held accountable?
Spanning years of research and featuring unprecedented access to archive and key figures the series unearths the truth about the Apartheid regime, examining its brutal legacy and ongoing impact on South Africa today.
Through the dramatic stories of both victims and perpetrators, it doesn’t shy away from confronting the complexities of justice, accountability and forgiveness and sheds light on what has remained hidden for so long. This series is a genuine attempt to unpack the collective trauma of a nation that has overcome extraordinary challenges but in order to move on, must now truly confront its troubled past.
DIRECTORS
Xoliswa Sithole
Misha Wessel
Thomas Blom
RESEARCH
Stephan Hofstatter
Xoliswa Sithole
Misha Wessel
Thomas Blom
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Natalie Haarhoff
ADDITIONAL CAMERA
Remco Bikkers
EDITORS
Paul Burgess
Jens Greuner
SOUND
George Ramosime
Akim Manda
MUSIC
Rob Manning
NARRATOR
Iman Rapetti
ARCHIVE PRODUCERS
Eva Diet
Nhlanhla Mthethwa
ART DIRECTOR
Tanya Van Tonder
LOCATIONSCOUTS
Anton Nell
Steve Watchorn
POST-PRODUCTION
Alexander Steyer
Leon Schwarz
SOUND MIX
Pierre Brand
COLORIST
Bernie Greiner
GRAPHICS
Fritz Gnad
LEGAL
Willem De Klerk
LINE PRODUCER
Ferdinand Freising
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Refilwe Mooketsi
JUNIOR PRODUCER
Lena Marie Reimers
PRODUCERS
Eva Fouquet
Laura Colucci
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Reinhardt Beetz
Neil Brandt
COMMISSIONING EDITORS
Barbara Truyen, VPRO
Frederic Ulferts, ZDF/ARTE
Busi Sogobile & June Mabele, SABC
DISTRIBUTOR
TVF International
Sales & distribution
- Press kit
- Press photos
