An Act Of Defiance
In 1963, ten men – among them Nelson Mandela - are arrested for conspiring to commit sabotage against the apartheid state and its government. They plead not guilty, shifting attention instead to the corrupt and unjust political system and face a possible death sentence. Their lawyer, Bram Fischer, whose family has for generations been part of the Afrikaner elite, is a secret illegal member of the ANC and Communist Party leadership, juggling his legal responsibilities with his commitment to the wider cause of justice.
An Act Of Defiance is a nail-biting political thriller - a riveting courtroom drama that crackles with tension. It’s a story that combines an inspiring examination of political courage with compelling insights into the human cost of commitment and principle.
We are thrilled to present An Act Of Defiance to close VSAFF – as always – with an Afrikaans language film.
After the film…
Ann Nicholson, a white woman tried and imprisoned by the Apartheid government along with Bram Fisher, will be in attendance for a Q&A.
Rating
PG - Coarse language; violence
Honours
- Best Actress, Best Screenplay – Cape Town Film Festival
- Best Actor, Best Screenplay – Dutch Film Awards
- Gold Audience Award – Mill Valley Film Festival
- Audience Award – Movies That Matter Film Festival
- Best Film – UK Jewish Film festival
Director: Jean Van de Velde
Producers: Richard Claus; Michael Auret; Hugh Rogers
Run Time: 117 minutes
Afrikaans and English with subtitles
Community Partners:
CUPE BC
Mannie & Armelle Druker