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Mapantsula is a 1988 South African crime film directed by Oliver Schmitz and written by Schmitz and Thomas Mogotlane. It tells the story of Johannes 'Panic' Themba Mzolo (Mogotlane), a small-time thief, set against the backdrop of Apartheid. The film's use of flashbacks between Panic's time at the hands of his apartheid jailor 'Stander' and happenings in the Johannesburg township of Soweto display the injustices black South Africans suffered during apartheid and their struggle for suffrage. The film makes extensive use of political rallies, police brutality, and racial difference to example the effects of apartheid on black South Africans. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. The film was selected as the South African entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Original Release
05/21/1988
US Release
12/03/1989
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Marcel Van Heerden | Stander |
Thembi Mtshali | Pat |
Dolly Rathebe | Ma Modise / Ma Mobise |
Peter Se-Puma | Duma Sithole |
Darlington Michaels | Dingaan |
Eugene Majola | Sam Modise / Sam |
Gabriel Dichwabe | Crowd Leader |
Brad Morris | Riot Policeman |
Polite Dlamini | Prisoner |
Duma Nyembe | Prisoner |
Directors
Writers
Thomas Mogotlane, Oliver Schmitz
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Marcel Van Heerden | Stander |
Thembi Mtshali | Pat |
Dolly Rathebe | Ma Modise / Ma Mobise |
Peter Se-Puma | Duma Sithole |
Darlington Michaels | Dingaan |
Eugene Majola | Sam Modise / Sam |
Gabriel Dichwabe | Crowd Leader |
Brad Morris | Riot Policeman |
Polite Dlamini | Prisoner |
Duma Nyembe | Prisoner |
Jerry Mokgoko | Policeman |
Similo Makhambi | Charge Office Sergeant |
Boitumelo Dijoe | Sergeant |
Arthur Molepo | Warder |
Michael Copley | Businessman |
Louis Seboko | Mandla |
Nana Motijoane | Singer in Disco |
Mesh Mapetla | Emcee in Disco |
Simon Sabela | Mr. M |
Margaret Williams | Joyce |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
David Hannay | Executive Producer |
Keith Rosenbaum | Executive Producer |
Oliver Schmitz | Producer |
Max Montocchio | Producer |