Cry Freedom
“Our people shall be free”
Synopsis
Balogun's most political film is a confrontation with the African wars of liberation. Based on Carcase for Hounds, Meja Mwangi's novel about the Mau-Mau uprising, it is set in an unnamed country and thus offers the vision of a pan-African struggle for freedom and against colonial oppression. The central figures in the straightforwardly and powerfully told story are the guerrilla leader Haraka and his adversary, the English colonial official Kingsley. In the end, the film becomes a homage to the freedom fighters from all over Africa: the final images show Patrice Lumumba, Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and Amílcar Cabral, among others.
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ola Balogun
- Screenplay & Story
- Ola Balogun, Meja Mwangi
- Original Title
- Cry Freedom
- Country of Origin
- Nigeria
- Spoken Languages
- English, Yoruba
- Runtime
- 1h 10m
- Production Studios
- Afrocult Foundation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ola Balogun
Ola Balogun, Meja Mwangi
Philippe Gosselet
Department Leadership Roster
Ola Balogun
Director
Ola Balogun
Writer
Philippe Gosselet
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Cry Freedom.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Top Titles from Nigeria - IMDb
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cry Freedom
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Cry Freedom about?
Balogun's most political film is a confrontation with the African wars of liberation. Based on Carcase for Hounds, Meja Mwangi's novel about the Mau-Mau uprising, it is set in an unnamed country and thus offers the vision of a pan-African struggle for freedom and against colonial oppression. The central figures in the straightforwardly and powerfully told story are the guerrilla leader Haraka and his adversary, the English colonial official Kingsley. In the end, the film becomes a homage to the freedom fighters from all over Africa: the final images show Patrice Lumumba, Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and Amílcar Cabral, among others.
Who directed Cry Freedom?
Cry Freedom was directed by Ola Balogun.
Who stars in Cry Freedom?
The principal cast of Cry Freedom includes Albert Hall, Prunella Gee, Jorge Coutinho, Roberto Pirillo, David Buck.
When was Cry Freedom released and how long is it?
Cry Freedom was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 1h 10m.
Is Cry Freedom based on a book or true story?
Cry Freedom is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Meja Mwangi".