Love in the wrong time
JOBURG – Free State takes you back to 1979 in hopes of showing you what love looks like when it defeats all odds.
Reviewed by: Neo Phashe
Genre: Drama, romance, family
Running Time: 98 minutes
Director: Sallas de Jager
Starring: Andrew Govender, Nicola Breytenbach, Leleti Khumalo.
Rating: 6/10
Release Date: 29 April
JOBURG – When you look to remind yourself if love really does conquer all, answer the bold question with a proudly romantic South African film. Free State is all about love and its valiant attempt to stay true to itself.
Set in 1979, Free State follows the taboo relationship of an Indian man and White woman. They meet by chance in a time where it was seen as a criminal offence for people of different races to be together.
The Plot: After completing her law degree, Jeanette travels back home to the Free State. She looks forward to seeing her father and her long time boyfriend who had been overseas for military duties. On her way there she has a chance meeting with Ravi, a Hindu man who is about to get into an arranged marriage. After realising they are in love they have to battle a political system and families that do not agree with their desire to be together.
The Good: This movie is not like other historical movies we have seen. Though it is set in apartheid South Africa the main feature is love. You understand the state of the country from the introduction, which then just leads you into the lives of Jeanette and Ravi.
The Bad: It takes too long to get to the point. Also parts of the movie are left unanswered at the end of the film when it came to some of the characters’ motives and actions throughout it.
The Verdict: If you are a sucker for romance, then this is the flick for you. You can leave your box of tissues at home as you won’t really need them. For fashion lovers, the 1979 wardrobe will probably inspire you. Other than that this movie is basically your boy meets girl, girl and boy cannot be together, girl and boy defeat the odds.
