gorelik-639-135844

Let's face it: the film is plain boring. It's a shame really, because the idea, the message behind it is superb and so very important for South Africa. The country simply can't go on without reconciliation - and forgiveness. But what an utterly pretentious and vapid execution! What a missed opportunity!

The movie might look good at international film festivals, where prizes are given for good intentions and political correctness. And where they make allowances for South African cinema as if it weren't one of the oldest and most established in the world. But films like Tsotsi, Jerusalema or even White Wedding are much more deserving of accolades than this dragging exercise in well-intentioned film-making.

I think that this film is purely South African entertainment and it is brilliant as such. Foreigners with no interest in that country won't be able to understand why it caused such a stir in the RSA and won so many fans.

White Wedding is important not only because it shows a positive side of the 'SA experience'. After watching it, you will understand what unites all South Africans irrespective of their skin colour or cultural background.

It is a film about what it's like to be South African. And it's a valuable contribution in the country that is still strongly divided along racial and ethnic lines. Once people realise the common denominator,. they might be able to understand each other better - and, eventually, make the Rainbow Nation ideal more sensible.