

Sew the Winter to My Skin
“One man's bandit is another man's champion”
Synopsis
Set in South Africa's rural Great-Karoo region in the 1950s, this epic existential-adventure film chronicles the exploits of the outlaw John Kepe and the various individuals his escapades affected. This Robin-Hoodesque figure would steal primarily livestock from the white settler farmers, terrorizing them for over a decade. Led by the hardliner General Botha, a mammoth manhunt ensues in the very mountain where Kepe was rumored to occupy a Noah's Ark like cave. This spectacle ingratiated Kepe in the hearts of the marginalized indigenous-population, who turn Kepe's miscreant deeds into the stuff of legend, making him a threat to the very fabric of the colonial society. Sew the Winter to my Skin is a thrilling, operatic ride into the heart of Pre-Apartheid South Africa and is a visceral exploration of the effects of the colonial displacement that sewed the seeds for one of the most viciously racist, political regimes in history.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
SEW THE WINTER TO MY SKIN Trailer | TIFF 2018
Type: Trailer • Published 2018-08-23
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Ezra Mabengeza
Runner
Peter Kurth
Botha
Kandyse McClure
Golden Eyes
David James
Frontiersman
David Roland Walpole
The Scarfaced Kid
Antoinette Louw
Mrs. Botha
Bok van Blerk
Simon
Bongile Mantsai
Fearless the Rabble Rouser
Brenda Ngxoli
Mole
Zolisa Xaluva
Black Wyatt Earp
Nomhlé Nkyonyeni
Old Matriarch
Carlo Radebe
Rider
Mandisa Nduna
Birthmark
Gabriel Fredericks
Dead Man Walking
Release History & Theatrical Window
Toronto International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
- Screenplay & Story
- Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
- Original Score
- Braam du Toit
- Original Title
- Sew the Winter to My Skin
- Country of Origin
- Germany, South Africa
- Spoken Languages
- Afrikaans, Xhosa, English
- Runtime
- 2h 12m
- Production Studios
- Yellowbone Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
Braam du Toit
Jonathan Kovel
Layla Swart
Layla Swart, Nikki Wilton
Department Leadership Roster
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
Director
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
Writer
Layla Swart
Producer
Jonathan Kovel
Director of Photography
Layla Swart
Editor
Emilia Roux
Production Design
Pierre Vienings
Costume Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Sew the Winter to My Skin.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Sew the Winter to My Skin.
Netflix Movies
Movies that have been on Netflix
**Automated** TMDB list of movies that have been on Netflix.<br>See github.com/paolobasso99/netflix-movies-to-tmdb <br>Last update: 9 May 2026
Xhosa
Xhosa language shows from SA
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sew the Winter to My Skin
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Sew the Winter to My Skin about?
Set in South Africa's rural Great-Karoo region in the 1950s, this epic existential-adventure film chronicles the exploits of the outlaw John Kepe and the various individuals his escapades affected. This Robin-Hoodesque figure would steal primarily livestock from the white settler farmers, terrorizing them for over a decade. Led by the hardliner General Botha, a mammoth manhunt ensues in the very mountain where Kepe was rumored to occupy a Noah's Ark like cave. This spectacle ingratiated Kepe in the hearts of the marginalized indigenous-population, who turn Kepe's miscreant deeds into the stuff of legend, making him a threat to the very fabric of the colonial society. Sew the Winter to my Skin is a thrilling, operatic ride into the heart of Pre-Apartheid South Africa and is a visceral exploration of the effects of the colonial displacement that sewed the seeds for one of the most viciously racist, political regimes in history.
Who directed Sew the Winter to My Skin?
Sew the Winter to My Skin was directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka.
Who stars in Sew the Winter to My Skin?
The principal cast of Sew the Winter to My Skin includes Ezra Mabengeza, Peter Kurth, Kandyse McClure, David James, David Roland Walpole.
When was Sew the Winter to My Skin released and how long is it?
Sew the Winter to My Skin was released in 2019 with a total runtime of 2h 12m.
Who composed the musical score for Sew the Winter to My Skin?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Sew the Winter to My Skin was composed by Braam du Toit.
