Forgiveness is the first South African film about the politics of reconciliation since the end of apartheid. A film with an historical value that has won major prizes at the film festivals in Cape Town and Durban. Forgiveness is also the second film within the South African DV8 project for ‘Electric African Cinema’. In a period of three years, twelve digital films are being made to strengthen the basis for independent cinema in the country. The white former-policeman Tertius Coetzee (Arnold Vosloo, the Mummy from the adventure film) feels guilty about the violent crimes he committed in the past. Granted amnesty by the Truth Commission, but torn apart from within, Coetzee wants to be forgiven for killing the black activist Daniel Grootboom. He travels to the fishing village of Paternoster, on the wild and windy west coast of South Africa, and tries to approach the families of his victims. With great religious symbolism, Gabriel – himself white – shows the complexity of coping and forgiving. Father Hendrik and mother Magda are devastated after the death of their son and and don’t know how to come to terms with Coetzee’s visit. Brother Ernest and sister Sannie react with fury and Sannie calls Daniel’s friends to come and get their revenge. A role play about human catharsis against a rough and bleached background of sand and sea. (SdH)
