An exquisite period piece that skillfully explores the intersections of sex, race and politics takes place in 18th century South Africa, telling the passionate (true) story of two men caught in an unjust system rife with racism, homophobia and cruelty.
Cinematography
Bleached colonial light versus candlelit intimacy—stunning.
Writing
Dialogue in Afrikaans, Dutch, English; language as cage.
Acting
Brown and Sandilands build entire histories in glances.
Director
John Greyson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Claas Blank and Rijkhaart Jacobsz were executed on Robben Island—same prison that later held Nelson Mandela. The film was shot there.
Director John Greyson originally found their story in a 1995 academic article; the court records had been untranslated for two centuries. The film essentially performs queer archaeology.
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