The Forgiven (2018)
A powerful drama of conscience set in post-Apartheid South Africa, anchored by Forest Whitaker's towering portrayal of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Forgiven - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Forgiven
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Roland Joffé
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 5, 2018 (South Africa), January 9, 2019 (France)
- Alternative Titles: The Forgiven - Ohne Vergebung gibt es keine Zukunft (DE)
- Production Companies: Light and Dark Films, Jeff Rice Films, Lionsgate, LB Entertainment, 13 Films
- Production Countries: South Africa, United Kingdom
The Forgiven - Plot
After the end of Apartheid, Archbishop Desmond Tutu meets with a brutal murderer seeking redemption.
The Forgiven - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the moral reckoning at the heart of this story unfold:
Racist. Prisoner. Murderer. Child of God.
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The Forgiven - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roland Joffé
Main Cast
- Forest Whitaker
- Eric Bana
- Jeff Gum
- Debbie Sherman
- Terry Norton
- Dominika Jablonska
- Rob Gough
- Morné Visser
- Thandi Makhubele
- Osbert Solomons
Writers
- Michael Ashton
- Roland Joffé
Producers
- Roland Joffé
- Craig Baumgarten
- Zaheer Goodman-Bhyat
The Forgiven - FAQs
Is The Forgiven based on a true story?
Yes. The Forgiven is based on real events and the stage play by Michael Ashton. It dramatizes a meeting between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and a convicted murderer during South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings following the end of Apartheid in the 1990s.
Where can you stream The Forgiven (2018)?
The Forgiven is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi TV at no extra cost. It can also be watched free on Plex. Additionally, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who plays Archbishop Desmond Tutu in The Forgiven?
Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker portrays Archbishop Desmond Tutu in The Forgiven. Eric Bana co-stars as Piet Blomfeld, the convicted murderer who seeks forgiveness before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
What is The Forgiven (2018) about?
Set in post-Apartheid South Africa, The Forgiven follows Archbishop Desmond Tutu as he confronts a brutal, unrepentant murderer during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The film explores themes of justice, moral courage, and whether genuine forgiveness is possible in the aftermath of extreme racial violence.
What is the age rating for The Forgiven?
The Forgiven is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's mature themes, including depictions of racial violence, murder, and the psychologically intense confrontations at the heart of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission proceedings.
Who directed The Forgiven (2018)?
The Forgiven was directed by Roland Joffé, the acclaimed British filmmaker known for The Killing Fields and The Mission. Joffé also co-wrote the screenplay alongside playwright Michael Ashton, adapting Ashton's original stage play for the screen.
How long is The Forgiven?
The Forgiven has a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes (115 minutes). The film was released in South Africa on October 5, 2018, and later in France on January 9, 2019.
How was The Forgiven received by critics?
Critical reception for The Forgiven was mixed. Reviewers widely praised Forest Whitaker's commanding portrayal of Desmond Tutu and Eric Bana's intense performance, though some critics felt the film's stage origins kept it from fully opening up cinematically. The performances were consistently highlighted as the film's greatest strength.
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