Moffie
Directed by:
Oliver HermanusCinematography:
Jamie RamsayComposer:
Braam du ToitCast:
Kai Luke Brummer, Mark Elderkin, Luke Tyler, Ryan de Viller, Matthew Vey, Stefan Vermaak, Hilton Pelser, Wynand Ferreira, Rikus Terblanche, Hendrik Nieuwoudt (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
To be a moffie is to be weak, effeminate, illegal. The year is 1981 and South Africa's white minority government is embroiled in a conflict on the southern Angolan border. Like all white boys over the age of 16, Nicholas Van der Swart must complete two years of compulsory military service to defend the Apartheid regime. The threat of communism and "die swart gevaar" (the so-called black danger) is at an all-time high. But that's not the only danger Nicholas faces. He must survive the brutality of the army - something that becomes even more difficult when a connection is sparked between him and a fellow recruit. (Artificial Eye)
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Reviews (1)
Moffie is not only a story about attitudes to homosexuality among soldiers in South Africa in the early 1980s, it also offers an authentic view of conditions among soldiers in general, addressing the issues of bullying, pervasive drudgery, and non-violently pointing out the senselessness of a regime that oppresses the indigenous population and forces young men to participate in these injustices. The world of the military training ground does not tolerate mental or physical weakness, on the contrary, it seeks to awaken hatred and intolerance in young men based on racism and homophobia. Some scenes were indeed harsh and unpleasant to watch. Even though Nicholas and Dylan's relationship didn't get as much space as I originally expected, I still had to pause during the credits and really think about it. The only major criticism on my part goes to the odd soundtrack, which I found quite distracting and inappropriate in places.
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