Synopsis

In South Africa, rural priest Stephen Kumalo travels to Johannesburg after learning that his family is in trouble. His search leads to his estranged son, who has been arrested for a serious crime. As the case brings Kumalo into contact with the victim's grieving father, both men confront the country's racial divisions, personal loss, and the possibility of reconciliation.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is adapted from Alan Paton's 1948 novel, one of the best-known works of South African literature.

• Production was deliberately postponed until South Africa had entered its democratic era. The film was shot on location in KwaZulu-Natal, the Cape Province, and Gauteng.

• It has been described as the first feature film shot on location in post-apartheid South Africa, following Nelson Mandela's election as president in 1994.

• John Barry composed the score and dedicated it to Nelson Mandela. The music was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with the English Chamber Orchestra.

• Barry's score includes a subdued reference to his music for Zulu (1964), another film centered on South African history.

• The soundtrack also features the song "Exile" by Enya.

• The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 1995, before its United States theatrical release on December 15, 1995.

• It received nominations from the NAACP Image Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.