Cry Freedom

film by Attenborough [1987]

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July 16, 2026

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Cry Freedom is a 1987 film directed by Richard Attenborough that chronicles the life of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko and his friendship with white journalist Donald Woods. The film is based on Woods's book Biko and highlights Biko's role as the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. Biko's activism aimed to foster dignity and self-worth among Black South Africans during the apartheid era. The film depicts Biko's eventual death in police custody, which led to his international recognition as a martyr for Black nationalism.12

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Steve Biko
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- Meja Mwangi
  Mwangi wrote the screenplay for Cry Freedom (1981) and later served as an assistant director on Out of Africa (1985) and White Mischief (1987).
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  Mwangi wrote the screenplay for Cry Freedom (1981) and later served as an assistant director on Out of Africa (1985) and White Mischief (1987).
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- Steve Biko
  Biko in popular culture
  …is portrayed in the film Cry Freedom (1987). Biko has also been commemorated in music, such as in British rocker Peter Gabriel’s song “Biko” (1980) and “Steve Biko” (1997) by Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician Beenie Man. In conjunction with the release of Cry
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  …is portrayed in the film Cry Freedom (1987). Biko has also been commemorated in music, such as in British rocker Peter Gabriel’s song “Biko” (1980) and “Steve Biko” (1997) by Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician Beenie Man. In conjunction with the release of Cry
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Kevin Kline
Sophie’s Choice, A Fish Called Wanda, and The Ice Storm
…Blue… (1986), and Richard Attenborough’s Cry Freedom (1987). Kline’s performance in the British-American heist comedy A Fish Called Wanda (1988; with John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis) netted him an Academy Award for best supporting actor.
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…Blue… (1986), and Richard Attenborough’s Cry Freedom (1987). Kline’s performance in the British-American heist comedy A Fish Called Wanda (1988; with John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis) netted him an Academy Award for best supporting actor.
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Denzel Washington
First years in Hollywood
For the film Cry Freedom (1987), he portrayed South African activist Stephen Biko, and he received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Two years later he won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his performance as a formerly enslaved man fighting in the Union army…
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For the film Cry Freedom (1987), he portrayed South African activist Stephen Biko, and he received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Two years later he won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his performance as a formerly enslaved man fighting in the Union army…
Read More