Country of My Skull
Year:
2003
Production Country:
Great Britain / Ireland / USA / South Africa
An African American journalist travels to South Africa to report on the work of the post-Apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He is deeply shocked by the accounts of brutality and violence. When he meets Anna, an Afrikaans journalist and poet, he is torn between dislike for what she represents and affection for her as a woman. Issues of roots and identity arise as their feelings for each other develop. Are forgiveness and reconciliation possible for them?
Cast & credits
Cast
- Langston Whitfield Samuel L. Jackson
- Anna Malan Juliette Binoche
- De Jager Brendan Gleeson
- Dumi Mkhalipi Menzi Ngubane
- Anderson Sam Ngakane
- Elsa Aletta Bezuidenhout
- Edward Morgan Lionel Newton
- Beotie Langley Kirkwood
- Reverend Mzongo Owen Sejake
- Albertina Sobandla Harriet Manamela
- Willem Malan Louis Van Niekerk
- old man in wheelbarrow Jeremiah Ndlovu
- Felicia Reinhardt Fiona Ramsay
- De Smidt Dan Robbertse
- Van Deventer Robert Hobbs
- Peter Makeba Lwando Nondzaba
- B&B lady Trix Pienaar
- Sergeant Dreyer Greg Latter
- farmer Albert Maritz
- Gilbert Sizwe Msutu
- Kenneth Dumisani Mbebe
- Lionel Sunu Gonera
- Jack Marlon Nick Boraine
- Adam Hartley Charley Boorman
- Mrs Tabata Connie Chiume
- Simon Seumus Keir
- Chris Nicholas Andrews
- Jonty Justin Creasey
- Johan Grant Swanby
- police general Paul Eilers
- perpetrator 1 Bheki Vilakazi
- Alec Louw Venter
- Brian Wayne Harrison
- Lilly Terry Norton
- judge André Jacobs
- newsreader Alyce Chavunduka
- woman Lillian Dube
- woman Namhla Ndlovu
- woman Lee Duru
- woman Nambitha Mpumlwana
- 1st Dumi's killer Fana Mokoera
- De Jager's security Johan Marais
- De Jager's security Morgan O'callaghan
- De Jager's security Frederrick Dannhauser
- taxi driver Andrew Johnson
- commissioner Lilian Khumalo
- commissioner Genesis Canda
- commissioner Tony Finley
- commissioner Biah Mokogobu
- commissioner Anthony Karriem
- commissioner Milton Daka
- commissioner Hiportia Hlatana
- commissioner Jefferine October
- commissioner Beverley Bownes
- 2nd judge Khontyo
- 3rd judge Denzil Campbel
- woman phone booth/corn field Christina Ntsomi
- herd boy Xhantyi Nqayi
- Inge Michelle Zaaiman
- Ingo voice-over Natasha Kotze
- Johan's wife Natalie Dippenaar
- Malan farmhouse maid Zoliswa Mabawa
- crying woman Elizabeth Mokoatsana
- farmer's father-in-law John Coom
- farmer's mother-in-law Noel Coom
- farmer's daughter Shannen Mackay
- perpetrator 2 Xola Luse
- old man's grandson Sacky Veto
- old man's comforter Mohogany Singiswa
- Albertina's friend Moho Seabela
- Albertina's friend Zingisa Kobo
- Albertina's friend Lindiwe Hans
- Langston's driver John Zacharis
- Boere Orkes band Brian Niewoudt
- Boere Orkes band Endrie Nel
- Boere Orkes band Nic Du Toit
- Boere Orkes band Stompie Heyns
- Boere Orkes band Susanna Vermeulen
- one man band Paul Dirkson
- Schempers Russell Johnson
- bottle shop owner Morris Uberstein
- Lizzie Thembi Mtshali
- Alec's wife Lara Bye
- PR person Marisa Sarfatti
- translator Phumla Stamper
- translator Warona Seane
- Afrikaner next to Anna at hearing John Langemann
- woman with applications Nkuli Kgositsile
- Anna look-a-like Suzanna Bassett
- Lily's daughter Amber Stodel
- taxi driver Yavor Radkov
- 2nd Dumi killer Casmir Ummuna
- 3rd Dumi killer Vumile Ngoqo
- 4th Dumi killer Christian Ogbeifun
Credits
Direction
- Directed by John Boorman
- 2nd Unit Director Kevan Barker
- Assistant Director (1st) Diana Keam
- Assistant Director (2d) Jon-Luke Lourens
- Assistant Director (2nd 2nd) Matthew Muskett
- Assistant Director (3rd) Gareth Bird
- Assistant Director (2nd Unit) Carey Lagoe
- Script Supervisor Robyn Aronstam
Production
- © Skull Distribution Ltd
- Produced by Inside Track Productions LLP
- Produced... on behalf of Skull Distribution Ltd
- Co-produced by Studio Eight Productions Ltd.
- Co-produced by Country Merlin Ltd
- Produced in association with Inside Track Films
- Produced in association with Skiet and Drama Skop
- Made with the support of National Lottery through UK Film Council
- Presented by Phoenix Pictures
- Presented by The Film Consortium
- Presented by Merlin Films
- Presented in association with UK Film Council
- Presented in association with Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa
- Production Services by Film Afrika Worldwide
- International Distribution The Works International
- World Revenues Collected/Distributed by Freeway CAM B.V.
- [Production Company] Chartoff Productions
- [Production Company] Morula Pictures
- Executive Producer Chris Auty
- Executive Producer Neil Peplow
- Executive Producer Mfundi Vundla
- Executive Producer Duncan Reid
- Executive Producer Sam Bhembe
- Executive Producer Jamie Brown
- Produced by/Presentation Robert Chartoff
- Produced by/Presentation Mike Medavoy
- Produced by John Boorman
- Produced by Kieran Corrigan
- Produced by Lynn Hendee
- South African Producer David Wicht
- Line Producer Michael L. Games
- Associate Producer Peter Fudakowski
- Associate Producer Niles Helmboldt
- For Merlin Films Gunther Falkenthal
- For Merlin Films Gerry Hargadon
- For Merlin Films Joe Binchy
- For Ingenious Films Judith Chan
- For Ingenious Films Paula Jalfon
- For Ingenious Films John Jaggon
- For Ingenious Films Alison Brister
- For Ingenious Films Peter Touche
- For The Film Consortium Andy Ordonez
- For The Film Consortium Justin Smith
- For The Works Aline Perry
- For The Works Rebecca Kearey
- Set Unit Manager John Rogers
- Production Manager Genevieve Le Cordeur
- Production Supervisor Kevan Barker
- Production Co-ordinator Louise Mycielski
- Production Co-ordinator Natascha Leite
- Financial Controller Della Moore
- Production Accountant (South Africa) Michelle Ten Haaf
- EU Accountant Penny Robinson
- Location Manager Morgan Pather
- Post-production Supervisor Sandra Campbell
Casting
- Casting (South Africa) Moonyeenn Lee
- Casting (South Africa) Janet Meintjies
Writing
- Screenplay Ann Peacock
- Based on the book 'Country of My Skull' Antjie Krog
Photography
- Director of Photography Seamus Deasy
- 2nd Unit Cameraman Hans Kühle Jr
- 2nd Unit Cameraman Giulio Biccari
- Aerial Camera Operator (2nd Unit) Hans Kühle Jr
- Aerial Camera Operator (2nd Unit) Harmon Cusack
- Steadicam Operator Richard Rolf
- Focus Puller Shane Deasy
- Focus Puller (2nd Unit) Adi Visser
- Clapper Loader Meike Chinnery
- Camera Loader (2nd Unit) Neil Baillie
- Gaffer Don Reid
- Key Grip Jens Bacher
- Dolly Grip John Murphy
- VT Operator Johannes Thejane
Stills
- Stills Photographer Blid Alsbirk
Special Effects
- Visual Effects Double Negative
- Double Negative (Visual Effects Sprvsr) Charlie Noble
- Double Negative (Visual Effects Prdcr) Fay McConkey
- Double Negative (Exec Visual FX Prod) Alex Hope
- Double Negative (ECG Supervisor) Jack Graham
- Double Negative (Animator) Gavin Graham
- Double Negative (Compositor) Paul Norris
- Double Negative (Matte Painting Sprvsr) Dimitri Delacovias
- Special Effects Co-ordinator Roly Jansen
Editing
- Editor Ron Davis
Design
- Production Designer Derek Wallace
- Art Director Emelia Roux
- Art Department Co-ordinator Merinda Geyer
- Key Set Decorator Fred du Preez
- Set Decorator Graeme Blem
- Storyboard Artist Arik Reiss
- Properties Andrew Orlando
- Stand-by Props William Boyes
- Props Buyer George Bryn
- Construction Manager Brendan Smithers
Costumes
- Costume Designer Jo Katsaras
- Wardrobe Supervisor Zureta Schulz
- Wardrobe for Samuel L. Jackson Hugo Boss
Make-up
- Key Make-up/Hair Artist Meg Tanner
- Key Make-up/Hair Artist Annette Keet
- Make-up Artist for Samuel L. Jackson Allan A. Apone
- Make-up Artist for Juliette Binoche Leon von Solms
- Make-up/Hair Assistant Mieke Tait
- Make-up/Hair Assistant Simone Stubbs
- Hairstylist for Samuel L. Jackson Robert Stevenson
Titles
- Titles/Opticals Fred Chandler Associates
Film processing
- Negative Cutter Jason Wheeler Film Services
- Colourist Max Horton
Music
- Music Supervisor Philip King
- Music Co-ordinator Tina Moran
- Music Editor Brian Masterson
Sound
- Sound Recordist Brendan Deasy
- Boom Operator Eddie Quinn
- Re-recording Mixer Tom Johnson
- Re-recording Mixer John Fitzgerald
- Re-recorded at Ardmore Sound
- Sound Editor Martin Evans
- Dialogue Editor Joe Gilmore
- Foley Artist Jenny Lee-wright
- Foley Artist Pauline Griffiths
- Foley Editor Cathi Weldon
Stunts
- Cast Co-ordinator Russell Boast
- Extras Co-ordinator Russell Boast
- Stunt Co-ordinator Roly Jansen
Consultant
- Researcher Gail Behrmann
- Accent/Context Coach Karin Griessel
- With special thanks Walter Donohue
- With special thanks Basil Ford
- With special thanks Ronelle Loots
- Dialogue Coach Joan Washington
- Armourer Olly Steele
- Head Animal Wrangler Garin van Munster
- Animal Wrangler Spud Murray
Publicity
- Unit Publicist David Wilson