Wild Is the Wind

The only reason for the 1 star short is the scoring. Being a South African growing up pre and pos apartheid and a lover of music. There were alot more controversial and fitting songs released. However knowing the industry and copyright issues I get it. Do look forward to seeing more from Fabian. The cinematography was great. The story line is relevant and relatable. Think alot of these other reviews would've had a different perspective if it was some holiwood greats starring in it. But this has Oscar potential written all over it. Loved the story line. Would love to do the scoring for his next movie.

African crime/narc/thriller movies that includes corrupt cop or maybe they say kopjes, spinning around in the transvaal region i guess, usually brings you into quite some realistic stuff, harsh and tough they act in this movie, that have the racial balance as a meter of issuance.

They are usually wellmade and thourough in their making, but this one slips a bit on, maybe not the main cast, the support and extras that fills the frame. It feels instructive behind the camera, and the lack of heartfelt acting shines through. It maybe amateur issues or just directional fits of action.

But youll get thrill for your money even if they come in a rand-omized order, so a small recommend from the grumpy old man.

Maybe not entirely crime film, but an unusual scheme in this South African movie where you have no really lead character, no hero, only characters for whom you wonder what feeling you can have. It is question of a serial killer intrigue mixed up with a rogue cops element. You have convincing performances and situations too. It is however a bit slow, but again, this is a worth watching movie where you can also watch as a buddy movie, a White and Black cop working together as a team, without being entirely LETHAL WEAPON either. It is of course question of racial matters in this South African feature; this explains the buddy scheme with two different races characters. A very short tribute to QT's RESERVOIR DOGS in the scene of the serial killer dancing around the car trunk with a gasoline can; remember Michael Madsen sequence dancing besides the tortured cop. Good ending.

As this South African film opens we see police officer Vusi Matsoso accepting a bribe from a speeding motorist. Afterwards he splits the money with his partner, John Smit. As the driver pulls away we see he has a young woman trussed up in the boot of his car. Three years later Matsoso and Smit are more corrupt; they raid a drug den, killing the criminals and taking their drugs to sell to local criminals. Meanwhile there is the murder of another young woman, this time she is an Afrikaner. Racial tensions flare when suspicions fall on her black boyfriend. The events that follow will test Matsoso and Smit's friendship; will they do the right thing or take the easy options?

I thought this was a really solid crime drama. It started really well. We know from the opening scene that our protagonists are corrupt, the only question is whether their corruption is taking bribes for minor offences and robbing drug dealers or whether they will be willing to ruin innocent lives for their own benefit. The story deals with the racial tensions that are inevitably still present in South Africa without feeling as if it is a lecture. The main strength of the film is its acting and direction. Mothusi Magano and Frank Rautenbach really impress as Matsoso and Smit and even those in secondary roles are good. Fabian Medea does a great job directing. The South African landscape adds a lot to the atmosphere of the film; the rugged veldt gives the film the feel of a western at times. While the identity of the man who killed the Afrikaner girl is unlikely to surprise anybody there are a few other moments that do come as a surprise, one time tragically so. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of crime drama looking for something set outside North America or Europe. It would be nice to see more great drama coming out of Africa.

It must be noted that although Netflix suggests this is an English language film most of the dialogue is in subtitled Afrikaans; I didn't find that to be a problem but others might want to be aware before watching.

On 2/01/2024 we visited wild wind as day visitors. We were a group of more or less 25 people. Our dissatisfaction started at the gate. We had 5 children ranginging between 2 and 5 years old. They all paid different prices ranging from R45 to R95. We were shocked about this. The ladies at the gate were showing bad attitude towards us. It also seemed as if they had a hectic night before. The pools on that day were green and when I questioned them about 8t I was told it is because of the day before which was a very 0oor excuse. I will never ever go to this place again 9r even recommend it to other people Sorry wild wind.