Promised Land

Some of the most interesting post apartheid features deal with the response of the (white) Afrikaner community to the new democratic South Africa. One of the most powerful features since 1994 deals with an estranged Afrikaner community of white supremacists. In stark (almost black and white images) Promised Land depicts a desperate minority who, trying to retain their apartheid ideologies in the face of a new, democratic South Africa, have retreated into self-inflicted isolation and marginalization. Brilliantly shot by Giulio Biccarri on Sony's new HD format and masterly edited by Ronelle Loots the film could become one of South Africa's international breakthroughs. When I saw Promised Land for the first time, one realizes again that there has been a bifurcation within (white) Afrikaner culture. There is a clear split between the 'old' and the 'new'. Contemporary Afrikaners have been forced to make a choice after 1994. To choose between racial separation and assimilation and to acknowledge all the ideological ramifications that comes with that decision. Promised Land depicts both sides of this equation. It portrays the death of one era and the birth of another. In doing so Promised Land depicts the advocates of sparest ideology quite cruelly.

With captivating performances and breathtaking cinematography the film holds a silent intensity that draws the viewer into an emotional journey.

Promised Land carries an eerie undertone that the viewer shares with the main character as he unravels the dark secrets of the small Afrikaner community he tries to escape from.

A truly emotional and gripping experience that builds up to an ending that is both shocking and beautiful. This film brings to life the images of photographer Roger Ballen who portrays certain Afrikaners as a deeply disturbed community inhibited by old fashioned traditions and xenophobic tendencies. It is definitely worth a watch!

An intelligent, emotional, sensitive movie about back-country South Africa. I saw the movie while living there for 6 months in 2002-2003. It's a post-Apartheid movie that touches on how an outsider sees S.Africa, how some local whites cling to past ways even though other local whites wish to move on with their lives. There is suspense, love, drama, great writing and cinematography. Unfortunately, the ending sinks to unreasonable depths of human stupidity, best leave before the end. Otherwise, a very likable movie.