A Dry White Season [Blu-ray]

In apartheid-era South Africa, schoolteacher Ben Du Toit (Donald Sutherland) lives with his wife and two children, wilfully naive to the racism and injustice in his country. That is until the son of his gardener is beaten and killed by police officers in the aftermath of a protest seeking better education for Black children. This devastating event forces Ben to open his eyes and emboldens him to finally stand up and take action, seeking the help of Black activist Stanley (Zakes Mokae) and sympathetic journalist Melanie (Susan Sarandon) – an isolating endeavour that will change the lives of Ben and his family forever. With a superb cast, including outstanding supporting performances by Winston Ntshona, Thoko Ntshinga, Janet Suzman and a chilling Jürgen Prochnow, Euzhan Palcy’s A Dry White Season is a thrilling and ferocious portrayal of atrocity and discrimination. Extras - Presented in High Definition- A Dry White Season Intro and Q&A (2019, 38 mins): director Euzhan Palcy talks to Lydia Ogwang following a 30th anniversary screening at the Toronto International Film Festival- André Brink (1990, 19 mins): the author discusses his novel, the film adaptation and his own political awakening- Jemima + Johnny (1966, 29 mins): a short film by South African activist and filmmaker Lionel Ngakane, featuring a cameo by Zakes Mokae- The Burning (1968, 30 mins): Stephen Frears’ debut film depicts apartheid-era South Africa through the eyes of a young boy- **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring a new essay on the film by Kevin Le Gendre and writing on Jemima + Johnny and The Burning by Ellen Cheshire