Fogo Contra Fogo

"My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them and continue fighting. A Luta Continua! " - Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu He was only 20 and innocent at the time he was executed by hanging under the common purpose doctrine. Based on a powerful true story about a MK martyr. MK- Umkhonto wesizwe was an armed wing of ANC, African National Congress cofounder by Nelson Mandela. It used different tactics to challenge white minority government and white supremacy and aggressive approach to fight for freedom and equality that can be viewed as a parallel to INA by S Bose with a one minor difference that INA was not a part of INC. An exemplary story but movie falls little short due to a somewhat outworn movie making style. However, it is still a MUST see film about the brutality of the Apartheid government and South Africa's freedom struggle. Under the common purpose doctrine, the apartheid government executed nearly 3000 people in just 10 years between 1979-1989.

I'd never heard of this film before stumbling onto it on Netflix, and it's a must watch for all South Africans.

The story told brought to mind John Lennon's quote: "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system's game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight. Because once they've got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don't know how to handle is non-violence and humor."

The well documented brutality of Apartheid cops makes this grizzly viewing. The film also doesn't shy away from portraying the bumbling MK in an unflattering light, sending woefully badly trained and instructed every-day-guys to pointless tragedy.

It's a sad story of an everyman, a sensitive sole who in a better world have simply enjoyed jazz albums and raised a family, crushed by a brutal system.

This movie was mind blowing. Really worth your time. This movie lifts up the spirit of a true fighter. Great actors that really put a lot of emotion to the characters. Truly recommend this move l!

A well-executed South African story, and a tragic one aligning to the awful plight of South African's of colour during apartheid.

The performances by the principal cast were believable and powerful. The story was riveting and kept me glued to my seat. This was particularly moving given that this was based on true events.

I felt that it lost emotional kudos by painting the Afrikaner policemen as always wicket, something commonly depicted in stories like this. A subtle layering of emotions in the antagonists would have further elevated this powerful story.

Great view, certainly worth watching.