What is the price you would put on your freedom? This is the question that arises when viewing de The siege of Silverton (original title, Silverton Siege), the new film dramatic with a social backgrounddirected by the director Mandla Dubewhich you can find on Netflix from April 27, 2022. The date of publication of the film, however, is not a random choice: it is, in fact, a thoughtful programming, as on this day we celebrate the International Freedom Day, or Freedom Day for the liberation fromapartheid of South Africa and the date of first free electionsin 1994.
The siege of Silvertonthe plot
The siege of Silverton takes place in 1980 a Silverton precisely, an eastern suburb of Pretoria in South Africa, and tells the story of three members of the MK, an armed division of theAfrican National Congress already in business for some time, which has the mission to sabotage an oil depot. The rebels, however, do not know that this mission is being jeopardized by a police informantwho plays a double game within their group: the three members then, hunted down by the agents, attempt a daring and bloody escape, only to find themselves inside a bank.
The siege of Silverton
At this point, as there are no other ways out, the three protagonists decide to barricade themselves inside the building, holding all the people who were inside the bank hostage. moment of the siege. When they understand that they have no alternative, being surrounded by police officers, if not that of being arrested and imprisoned or that of deaththey decide to turn their siege into a social movementmaking requests, including the release of Nelson Mandela.
Will the three protagonists be able to guess who the mole is among them and to ensure that their causes stir the interest of the whole society in this cause of great social importance? Obviously, in order not to spoil you, we will not reveal it to you, but we strongly recommend watching this film for the important issues and also why The siege of Silverton is inspired by real events in the past that result in racial issues and which are still current, albeit to a limited extent compared to the 1980s.
The siege of Silverton: between action and general culture
Dube film, as specified in the previous paragraph, is a product from dramatic features, action and with a social backgroundas it narrates facts and events that actually happened in 1980. In his 101 minutes in duration the viewer is teased by the multiple scenes of firefights alternating with important ones moments of reflection on freedom and on the high price to pay in order to obtain it. Everything is supported by an excellent photography with shades vintageit is no coincidence that the director is also director of photography in other films, and by a not too frenetic pace which speeds up in scenes more action and that calms down, instead, in those scenes aimed at reflecting on the social issues that this film offers.
The siege of Silverton
Speaking of the action scenes, however, it all turns out quite chaoticas if they were elusive scenes: the plot of The siege of Silverton it is developed in a really interesting way but one that lacks insights into the events, perhaps due to one much more interpretive writing and that does not perfectly reflect the events that really happened. A special mention goes to the interpretation of the main cast: Thabo Rametsi, Noxolo Dlamini and Stefan Erasmus in the role of the three protagonists they managed to communicate through their strong expressiveness the drama they were going through, moreover, also the interpretation of Arnold Vosloowhich you will remember in the role of Imhotep in The Mummy of 1999, is particularly suggestive.
Neither The siege of Silvertonthere are some twists that clarify the plot and the events that the protagonists are experiencing but which at the same time are not of vital importance in supporting the film, as it is supported independently thanks to the strong social and moral themes present, fulcrum of the whole film, such as emphasizing the racial discrimination linked to that period, the fight for justice and freedom individual of a people that was often judged only for the aesthetic aspect and for the color of their skinthe cost of freedom and the price to pay to obtain it and the theme of liberation movement of a character who has changed the fortunes of many populations.
In short, if technically there is some flaw in the staging and writing of the film, The siege of Silverton shines mostly for the topics addressed, aimed at sensitize the viewer with that touch political-social which in this genre of film is not easy to stage.
Based on a true story
The siege of Silverton it tends to make us reflect on the question: what is the price to pay to be free? The events narrated in this film are inspired by three members of the MK who really existed, that is, Wilfred Mandela, Humphrey Makhubu and Stephen Mafokothe trio that started the Nelson Mandela’s liberation campaignreleased February 11, 1990, later to become the first black president of South Africa.
There criticism on this film, however, it is split in twothis is because many appreciated the staging of themes with a historicity and a very heavy baggage and difficult to make, while other spectators did not like the reinterpretation of some factsfearing to go to damage the social impact that those events have brought to society. Certainly, however, The siege of Silverton it is a film that needs to be seen even just to be able to enrich one’s cultural background or, why not, even just to deepen themes about which too little is still talked about, even if years have passed and theevolution of society has come to a turning point e acceptance of the different.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we recommend the vision of The siege of Silverton for many reasons, also because it is always very interesting to attend transpositions of real events in a motion picture film. We also remind you that you can find this product from April 27, 2022 in the catalog of Netflix together with all the news on the platform.
