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The Bang Bang Club

The Bang Bang Club

Drama · History · 2011

In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the violence and upheaval leading up to the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president. Their work is risky and dangerous, potentially fatally so, as they thrust themselves into the middle of chaotic clashes between forces backed by the government (including Inkatha Zulu warriors) and those in support of Mandela's African National Congress.

Movie details

The Bang Bang Club

“Sometimes you get too close”

2011 Drama · History 1h 46m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the violence and upheaval leading up to the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president. Their work is risky and dangerous, potentially fatally so, as they thrust themselves into the middle of chaotic clashes between forces backed by the government (including Inkatha Zulu warriors) and those in support of Mandela's African National Congress.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Bang Bang Club?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Steven Silver

Written by

Steven Silver

Malin Åkerman

Malin Åkerman

Robin Comley

Ryan Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe

Greg Marinovich

Taylor Kitsch

Taylor Kitsch

Kevin Carter

Frank Rautenbach

Frank Rautenbach

Ken Oosterbroek

Neels Van Jaarsveld

Neels Van Jaarsveld

Joao Silva

Russel Savadier

Russel Savadier

Ronald Graham

A

Ashley Friedlander

Roxy

Court is in session

Put The Bang Bang Club on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.