The Bang Bang Club
Seen it?2011 | 106 min | Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a box office flop and middling reviews (48% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved The Killing Fields or Gorillas in the Mist, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the violence and upheaval leading up to the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president. Their work is risky and dangerous, potentially fatally so, as they thrust themselves into the middle of chaotic clashes between forces backed by the government (including Inkatha Zulu warriors) and those in support of Mandela's African National Congress.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
48% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$221K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 29K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Killing Fields
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed historical drama.
Gorillas in the Mist
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Cast & crew
Directed by Steven Silver
- Malin AkermanRobin Comley
- Ryan PhillippeGreg Marinovich
- Taylor KitschKevin Carter
- Frank RautenbachKen Oosterbroek
- Neels Van JaarsveldJoao Silva
- Russel SavadierRonald Graham
- Ashley FriedlanderRoxy
- Patrick LysterJames Nachtwey
- Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela
- Lika BerningVivian